Because wrack is rare and rack has many definitions, it’s easy to confuse these homophones, and there are some common errors involving them. Here are a few of the phrases in which these two words are sometimes misused.
Rack [one's] brain
One definition of rack is to torture with a rack (the Medieval torture device) and, by extension, to torture. This is what’s meant by the common phrase rack [one's] brain; the thinker ponders so hard that the mind is tortured. These are examples of correct usage:
I had to rack my brain to remember what my dad called it . . . [NPR]
Fans are so desperate to keep Werth that they have racked their brain figuring out ways the Phils can pull this thing off financially. [Philly Mag]
Nerve-racking
In the phrasal adjective nerve-racking, rack is again used in the sense meaning to torture. Something that is nerve-racking tortures the nerves—for example:
Although Annalise found the interview nerve-racking, she felt confident about her public speaking ability. [Illawarra Mercury]
For the uninitiated, trying one of Toto’s hi-tech Washlet loos can be an experience as odd as straddling a car wash and as nerve-racking as attempting to befoul a tame Dalek. [Guardian]
But nerve-wracking is extremely common—for example:
And surprisingly, Bill said it wasn’t the least bit nerve-wracking watching his daughter give it her all on Tuesday’s performance show. [LA Times]
Nerve-wracking is so common that we have to accept it. In fact, we’ve received a number of emails from readers saying nerve-racking is incorrect. We still like it, though, and most usage authorities agree with us. Meanwhile, nerve-racking is preferred by many high-standards publications. If you don’t believe us, Google it.
Wrack and ruin
One definition of wrack is destruction or ruin, and another is wreckage. Either of these definitions may apply in the set phrase wrack and ruin. Wreck and ruin may technically mean the same thing, but it isn’t the conventional phrase.
Rack up
Rack up means to accumulate or score. Wrack up is nonsensical.
