a rake's progress

old-fashioned A journey of self-indulgence, hedonism, and moral deterioration. The young man, free to explore Europe with a sizable sum of money in his pocket, was eager to embark on a rake's progress and see what pleasures he could find. He's just your typical wealthy lad on a rake's progress—so, ladies, let's see if we can't unburden him of some of his money. Edward's always been an academic, so I doubt he has any interest in going on a rake's progress.

a rake's progress

a progressive deterioration, especially through self-indulgence.

A rake is a fashionable or wealthy man with dissolute or promiscuous habits. A Rake's Progress was the title of a series of engravings by William Hogarth ( 1697–1764 ). They depicted the rake's life progressing from wealthy and privileged origins to debt, despair, and death on the gallows.