English Reference
Idiom idiom

at rack and manger

Meaning

plentifully and at another's expense.

Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Examples
SIMPLE

“The spoiled cat lives at rack and manger.”

CONTEXTUAL

“He moved in with his wealthy uncle and has lived at rack and manger ever since.”

COMPLEX

“The young heir squandered his inheritance, preferring to live at rack and manger rather than earn his own keep.”

Anchors to
Related idioms4entries
  1. 01

    dog in the manger

    Someone who denies to others something that the denier cannot use.

  2. 02

    meat rack

    A place where people can meet looking for sexual partners.

  3. 03

    rack and ruin

    Complete destruction.

  4. 04

    rack up

    To gain (points etc.; in a game or sport), to accumulate.

Last updated August 10, 2026