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dirt cheap
/dɜːrt tʃiːp/
extremely inexpensive
I bought this shirt for $5—it was dirt cheap!
The shirt cost almost nothing; it was very inexpensive.
informal
extremely inexpensive; costing very little money
These shoes are dirt cheap, but they fell apart after a week.
The shoes were very cheap but poor quality.
The hotel room was dirt cheap because it was off-season.
The room cost very little due to low demand.
Used to emphasize how low the price is. Common in casual conversation.
Collocations
dirt cheap pricea very low costsell dirt cheapto sell something at a very low price
Related Phrases
Pro Tip
Avoid literal interpretation
Do not confuse 'dirt cheap' with its literal meaning. It does not refer to dirt or cleanliness but emphasizes how inexpensive something is.
Gold Rule
Use for emphasis
Reserve 'dirt cheap' for situations where the price is unusually low. It’s not suitable for moderate discounts.
Word Origin
The phrase combines 'dirt' (earth, soil) with 'cheap' (low cost). The use of 'dirt' as an intensifier dates back to the 16th century, implying something so worthless it is comparable to dirt. By the 19th century, 'dirt cheap' emerged as a colloquial phrase meaning 'extremely inexpensive.'
Usage Notes
Primarily used in informal contexts. Avoid in formal writing unless quoting direct speech. The phrase implies surprise or disbelief at the low price.
Word Breakdown
dirt
intensifier implying extreme low value
rootcheap
low in price
rootEnglish Dictionary