wrack and ruin

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English

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Alternative forms

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Etymology

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1577, as wracke and ruine, influenced by earlier go to wrecke (1548).[1][2]

Pronunciation

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Noun

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wrack and ruin (uncountable)

  1. (idiomatic) Complete destruction.
    • 1577, Henry Bull, Commentarie upon the fiftene psalmes (by Martin Luther, translation):
      Whiles all things seeme to fall to wracke and ruine.[1]

Derived terms

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References

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  1. 1.0 1.1 Gary Martin, “Rack and ruin”, The Phrase Finder
  2. ^ 1548, Ephraim Udall, sermon: “The flocke goeth to wrecke and vtterly perisheth.”