E. Cobham Brewer 1810–1897. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 1898.
Rack and Ruin.
Utter destitution. Here “rack” is a variety of wrack and wreck.
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“The worst of all University snobs are those unfortunates who go to rack and ruin from their desire to ape their betters.”—Thackeray: Book of Snobs, chap. xv. p. 87.
