dirt
any foul or filthy substance, as mud, grime, dust, or excrement.
earth or soil, especially when loose.
something or someone vile, mean, or worthless: After that last outburst of hers I thought she was dirt.
moral filth; vileness; corruption.
obscene or lewd language: to talk dirt.
Informal. gossip, especially of a malicious, lurid, or scandalous nature: Tell me all the latest dirt.
private or personal information which if made public would create a scandal or ruin the reputation of a person, company, etc.
Mining.
crude, broken ore or waste.
(in placer mining) the material from which gold is separated by washing.
Idioms about dirt
do (someone) dirt. dirty (def. 18).
eat dirt, Informal. to accept blame, guilt, criticism, or insults without complaint; humble or abase oneself: The prosecutor seemed determined to make the defendant eat dirt.
Origin of dirt
1Other words for dirt
Words Nearby dirt
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use dirt in a sentence
Then finally, 125cc and above have manual clutches and four-to-six-speed transmissions, putting them the closest to full-size dirt bikes in terms of required techniques.
Your kid wants a dirt bike. Here’s what to buy them. | By Serena Bleeker/Dirt Rider | September 4, 2020 | Popular-ScienceThis scooter has a dedicated press button for easy folding, a mudguard to protect from any flying dirt, and rubber handles for a secure grip.
The best scooters for a smooth commute or cruise | PopSci Commerce Team | September 3, 2020 | Popular-ScienceFor your equipment, a quick scrub with soapy water removes any dirt or grime, and a spray of your rubbing alcohol spray will bust the remaining bacteria.
Working out at home? Here’s how to keep your house from smelling like a gym. | Harry Guinness | September 3, 2020 | Popular-ScienceWith every warning, I’d get on the dirt bike and check on the fire.
They confirmed the idea using synthetic urine and faux lunar dirt.
Here’s the summer science you might have missed | Janet Raloff | September 1, 2020 | Science News For Students
Turns out that wool regulates temperature, repels water, wicks away moisture, and resists stains and dirt.
They slapped and punched him, and when he fell, dragged him through the dirt.
In one case a detainee was dragged naked along the dirt floor.
And Madusa had spent time on motorcycles, dirt bikes and four wheelers, among other rides.
The Moms of Monster Jam Drive Trucks, Buck Macho Culture | Eliza Krigman | November 22, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTBut how is it they never lose that hunger to turn over the next shovel of dirt?
He walked first to one side, and then the other, rooting in the dirt with his funny, rubbery nose.
Squinty the Comical Pig | Richard BarnumThen a shower of dirt flew into their faces and both Jolly Robin and his wife tumbled over backward.
The Tale of Grandfather Mole | Arthur Scott BaileyI pulled the saddle off my horse, slapped it down on the dirt floor, and went stalking up to the long cabin.
Raw Gold | Bertrand W. SinclairThence were taken fifteen baskets of gravel and dirt, which has the color of coal, in order to assay it.
Nor can this dirt be worked without danger of caving in, as was the case in all the veins and works that were on that elevation.
British Dictionary definitions for dirt
/ (dɜːt) /
any unclean substance, such as mud, dust, excrement, etc; filth
loose earth; soil
packed earth, gravel, cinders, etc, used to make a racetrack
(as modifier): a dirt track
mining the gravel or soil from which minerals are extracted
a person or thing regarded as worthless
obscene or indecent speech or writing
slang gossip; scandalous information
moral corruption
do someone dirt slang to do something vicious to someone
dish the dirt informal to spread malicious gossip
eat dirt slang to accept insult without complaining
treat someone like dirt to have no respect or consideration for someone
Origin of dirt
1Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Other Idioms and Phrases with dirt
In addition to the idiom beginning with dirt
- dirt cheap
- dirty joke
- dirty look, give a
- dirty one's hands
- dirty tricks
- dirty work
also see:
- dig up (dirt)
- dish the dirt
- eat crow (dirt)
- hit the deck (dirt)
- pay dirt
- treat like dirt
Also see underdirty.
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
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