ruin noun
1 spoilt state
ADJ. complete, utter
VERB + RUIN fall into, go to The cottage gradually fell into ruin.
PHRASES be the ruin of sb/sth Drink has been the ruin of her. | go to rack and ruin They've let the house go to rack and ruin.
2 end of success, hopes, etc.
ADJ. economic, financial | political
VERB + RUIN face The company faces ruin over the new road plans. | bring, lead to, mean, spell The cost would have meant financial ruin for us. | save from
PHRASES on the brink/verge of ruin, the road to ruin He's on the road to political ruin.
3 damaged building, town, etc.
ADJ. ancient | charred, smoking the charred ruins of their home | abbey, castle, etc.
VERB + RUIN be/lie in ~ The church now lies in ruins. | leave sth in ~ The earthquake left the town in ruins.
PREP. ~s of the ancient ruins of Jericho