dirt cheap
dirt cheap - Very inexpensive. The idea of something being as cheap as dirt dates back at least to Roman times. Petronius’s Satyricon (A.d. 60) says, “In those days food could be had for dirt” (Illo tempore annoma pro luto erat). It may already have been a cliché by the time Dickens used it in Oliver Twist (1838): “I sold myself . . . cheap, dirt cheap!”
Related Terms:
- For a song: Extremely cheap or for very little money.
- A steal: Something obtained at a low cost or a great value.
- Peanuts (price): Something very inexpensive.
- Budget-friendly: Affordable or within one’s financial reach.
Synonyms:
- Bargain-priced
- Low-cost
- Economical
- Penny-wise
- Budget
Antonyms:
- Expensive
- Costly
- Pricey
- High-priced
- Dear
Humor-Filled Quote:
“I’m not saying this hotel was cheap, but the welcome mat said ‘Just Bring Your Own Bed!’” - Penny Pincher
Proverbs:
- “You get what you pay for.” - A cautionary reminder that very cheap things may not always be of the best quality.
- “The best things in life are free.” - A comforting thought for the thrifty.
Literature:
- Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens – To delve into the historical use of ‘dirt cheap’.
- The Adventures of Tom Sawyer by Mark Twain – Full of witty takes on societal norms and values, including a stint with ‘cheap’ tricks.
Movies:
- Slumdog Millionaire – For a gripping tale of how sometimes cheap luck turns into gold.
- The Pursuit of Happyness – A tale of scraping through hardships toward success.
Songs:
- “Thrift Shop” by Macklemore & Ryan Lewis – Celebrating the joy of finding great things for cheap.
- “Bargain” by The Who – The song metaphorically talks about making sacrifices, but in a singable way.
Poetry:
- “Money” by Philip Larkin – A reflective poem on the necessity and pitfalls of money.
- “Slim omnibus” by Carl Sandburg – His disdain toward capitalism and cheap goods.
Quizzes
### What does "dirt cheap" mean?
- [ ] as valuable as dirt
- [x] Very inexpensive
- [ ] Covered in dirt and grime
- [ ] Unwanted or discarded
> **Explanation:** "Dirt cheap" is a term meaning very inexpensive, metaphorically so cheap that it's as worthless as dirt.
### Which of these phrases means nearly the same as "dirt cheap"?
- [ ] Truly expensive
- [ ] Hand over fist
- [x] For a song
- [ ] Empty Avenues
> **Explanation:** "For a song" is another way to describe something obtained for very little money, similar to "dirt cheap".
### Is the saying "For the price of dirt" a real phrase?
- [ ] Yes
- [x] No
> **Explanation:** No, "For the price of dirt" is not a real idiom or phrase. The common phrase is "dirt cheap."
### Which of these did Charles Dickens use “dirt cheap” in?
- [ ] A Tale of Two Cities
- [x] Oliver Twist
- [ ] Great Expectations
- [ ] David Copperfield
> **Explanation:** "Dirt cheap" appeared in the classical work "Oliver Twist" by Charles Dickens.
### Which song celebrates finding things for cheap like "dirt cheap"?
- [x] Thrift Shop by Macklemore & Ryan Lewis
- [ ] Big Spender by Shirley Bassey
- [ ] She Works Hard for the Money by Donna Summer
- [ ] Money by Pink Floyd
> **Explanation:** "Thrift Shop" by Macklemore & Ryan Lewis is a song that is all about finding great things for cheap.
Stay inspired and indefatigably curious. Remember, life’s greatest treasures aren’t always the ones with hefty price tags.
Published by Speculate Press, 2023.
