lab rat
A student or employee who spends a great deal of time working in a laboratory.
Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
“She is a total lab rat and loves her research.”
“Since he started his PhD, he has become a complete lab rat who rarely leaves the building.”
“The dedicated scientist remained a committed lab rat throughout her career, finding more comfort among her beakers and samples than in the outside world.”
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give a rat's arse
To care a minimum amount; to have or show minimal interest
- 02
poor as a rat
Synonym of poor as a church mouse.
- 03
rat run
A small, usually minor road used by a significant amount of traffic as a short cut or to avoid congestion on more major routes.
- 04
rat's nest
Something that is excessively complicated, entangled, or disorderly (either physically or metaphorically).
- 05
smell a rat
To sense something suspicious.
- 06
winter rat
An old, unattractive automobile, purchased for little money, to be driven during brutal Great Lakes winters while the owner's "good" car remains garaged and protected from corrosive road salt for the season.
Last updated August 10, 2026