pay dirt

American  

noun

1. soil, gravel, or ore that can be mined profitably.

2. Informal. any source of success or wealth; a fortunate discovery or profitable venture.

   After months of experimentation, the scientists finally hit pay dirt.

3. Football. end zone.

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pay dirt British  

noun

1. a deposit rich enough in minerals to be worth mining

2. informal to achieve one's objective

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Etymology

Origin of pay dirt

An Americanism dating back to 1855–60

Example Sentences

Their initial attempts failed to find nematodes in lakebed sediments, prompting Jung to take a hammer to samples of microbialites where she struck biological pay dirt.

From Science Daily

He’d strike pay dirt with “Come Monday” and, especially, “Margaritaville,” songs that brought him into the pop mainstream and established the foundation of a career that brought him from the beach into Wall Street boardrooms.

From Los Angeles Times

But Earth MRI is also planning hyperspectral surveys that will scan the treeless, arid surface for pay dirt.

From Science Magazine

The real pay dirt is likely to reveal itself when the rushing waters swollen with snow melt subside.

From New York Times

McCann would seal things on the power play late in the final frame, his quick snapper from the left circle finding pay dirt for his 40th goal of the season.

From Seattle Times