ˈ ̷ ̷ˌ ̷ ̷ noun
1.
a. : a rat's burrow
b. : a hole gnawed by a rat
2.
a. : a narrow opening, tunnel, or passageway
b. : a cramped space (as for storage or living quarters) ; especially : one that is oppressive or filthy
cooped up in a rathole like this — Jack Ward
3. : a seemingly bottomless or unfillable hole
his last pile of money … went down the rathole when he tried to save an old friend from bankruptcy — Stanley Walker