treat like dirt

In real, traceable use. Part of the curated seed collection; community review is coming.

Meaning · English

To treat someone badly, especially with disrespect or contempt.

Where it’s used: Used American English
Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).

Common questions

What does “treat like dirt” mean?

To treat someone badly, especially with disrespect or contempt.

Is “treat like dirt” formal or informal?

No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.