# lab rat

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/lab-rat
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

A student or employee who spends a great deal of time working in a laboratory.

## Examples

- 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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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.