dirt-cheap

dirt-cheap

The market stall sells dirt-cheap, fresh vegetables.

Definition

  1. Adjective:

    • Extremely inexpensive: "dirt-cheap" describes something that is sold or obtained at a price so low that it seems almost negligible, often implying it is of lower quality or abundance.

  2. Adverb:

    • At a very low price: "dirt-cheap" is used to modify verbs, indicating that something is bought, sold, or acquired for an exceptionally small amount of money.
Usage Examples

  • Adjective:

    • The furniture was dirt-cheap, but it fell apart after a month. (The furniture cost almost nothing, suggesting it was not durable.)
    • They found a dirt-cheap apartment in the city centre, though it was very small. (The apartment was rented for an extremely low price.)

  • Adverb:

    • He bought the car dirt-cheap at an auction. (He purchased it for a very low price.)
    • These vegetables are sold dirt-cheap at the farmer's market. (They are available for almost no cost.)
Advanced Usage

  • "dirt-cheap" as a compound adjective: Often used in informal contexts to emphasise the low cost, sometimes with a hint of surprise or suspicion.

    • The hotel room was dirt-cheap, which made me wonder about its cleanliness. (The extremely low price raised doubts.)

  • "to sell something dirt-cheap": To offer a product at an unreasonably low price, possibly to clear inventory.

    • The store sold all its winter coats dirt-cheap in March. (They sold them at a deep discount.)
Variants and Related Words
  • Dirt (n): loose soil or earth; by extension, something of little value.
    • The garden is full of rich dirt. (Soil, not related to price.)
  • Cheap (adj): low in price; costing little money.
    • This pen is cheap, but it works well. (Inexpensive, without the emphasis on extreme low cost.)
Synonyms
  • Rock-bottom: (adj) the lowest possible price.
    • We got the tickets at rock-bottom prices. (Extremely cheap.)
  • Budget: (adj) inexpensive, often with a focus on affordability.
    • They stayed at a budget hotel. (Cheap but not necessarily dirt-cheap.)
  • Bargain: (n) something bought cheaply.
    • That coat was a real bargain. (A good deal at a low price.)
Phrasal Verbs (None directly applicable)
  • "dirt-cheap" is not part of a phrasal verb; it functions as a compound adjective or adverb.
Related Idioms
  • "Dirt cheap" (idiomatic): identical in meaning to the word itself.
    • I bought this watch dirt cheap at a flea market. (For almost no money.)
  • "As cheap as dirt": an older idiom meaning extremely inexpensive, sometimes implying low quality.
    • These shoes are as cheap as dirt, but they look nice. (Very cheap, possibly flimsy.)