[Vocabulary] "A den of vice"

[pleasehelpme89]

Hi, everyone,

what does a "den of vice" mean? Especially, to do something "in a den of vice"? I've been searching for an answer for some time now. My dictionary does not now it in my native language.

Thank you.

 

[emsr2d2]

It's a place where immoral, illegal or sexual activities take place. The phrase suggests somewhere rather unsalubrious.

"Den" is taken from its usage as an animal's home. Foxes, for example, live in a den.
"Vice" is the collective term for sexual (sometimes sexually depraved) activities or offences.

In the British police, the "vice squad" is the department which deals with sexual crimes.

 

[Rover_KE]

Googling the phrase will lead you to this definition (click on 'this').

 

[SlickVic9000]

(Not a Teacher)

There are also vice squads in the US (mostly in major cities). They deal with prostitution, drugs, and illicit gambling.

 

[HanibalII]

It's a place where immoral or illegal sexual activities take place. The phrase suggests somewhere rather unsalubrious.

"Den" is taken from its usage as an animal's home. Foxes, for example, live in a den.
"Vice" is the collective term for sexual (sometimes sexually depraved) activities or offences.

In the British police, the "vice squad" is the department which deals with sexual crimes.

A more broad definition would be 'immoral or wicked'. It isn't directly tied to sexual activities.


Used in a sentence.

'My god won't you ever stop your drinking!' 'Nay' He said, 'Let me have my one vice!'



In various books I've read, the term 'a den of vice' has many different connotations. I've read it connected to prostitution, gambling, drinking and illegal substances. It entirely depends on the context.

 

[BobK]

I have a feeling it may be a bowdlerized version of 'den of iniquity'.

b

 

[Rover_KE]

'My God! Won't you ever stop your drinking?' 'Nay', he said; 'let me have my one vice!'

`

 

[SoothingDave]

(Not a Teacher)

There are also vice squads in the US (mostly in major cities). They deal with prostitution, drugs, and illicit gambling.

Yes. I wouldn't assume "vice" meant sex. It could be gambling or drugs. Even alcohol during Prohibition.

 

[emsr2d2]

Embarrassingly, I punctuated my original post very badly. I didn't intend to suggest that "vice" always applies to sex. I have edited my first post so I hope it is clearer.

 

[HanibalII]

`

My bad. I grabbed that example from one of my students' papers....