Dirt poor
adjective
Very poor, having little or no money or possessions.
He grew up in a dirt poor family which struggled to afford everyday expenses.
Often appears as...
- live dirt poor
- dirt poor family
Usage tips
Informal, Disapproving
Idiomatic
adjective
Very poor, having little or no money or possessions.
He grew up in a dirt poor family which struggled to afford everyday expenses.
Often appears as...
- live dirt poor
- dirt poor family
Usage tips
Informal, Disapproving
Idiomatic
Definition 1 of 1
Pro Tip 1/3Emotional Weight
The phrase carries a strong emotional charge, emphasizing a tough situation.
Even though he's now successful, his past as a dirt poor child still affects him.
Pro Tip 2/3Informal Tone
Used in casual conversations; may be disrespectful in formal contexts.
She jokingly referred to her college days, saying she was dirt poor.
Pro Tip 3/3Cultural Nuance
Often implies a rural or humble upbringing in cultural representations.
In his autobiography, he recounts his dirt poor origins on a small farm.
Pro Tip 1/3Emotional Weight
The phrase carries a strong emotional charge, emphasizing a tough situation.
Even though he's now successful, his past as a dirt poor child still affects him.
Pro Tip 2/3Informal Tone
Used in casual conversations; may be disrespectful in formal contexts.
She jokingly referred to her college days, saying she was dirt poor.
Pro Tip 3/3Cultural Nuance
Often implies a rural or humble upbringing in cultural representations.
In his autobiography, he recounts his dirt poor origins on a small farm.
Pro Tip 1/3Emotional Weight
The phrase carries a strong emotional charge, emphasizing a tough situation.
Even though he's now successful, his past as a dirt poor child still affects him.
Pro Tip 2/3Informal Tone
Used in casual conversations; may be disrespectful in formal contexts.
She jokingly referred to her college days, saying she was dirt poor.
Pro Tip 3/3Cultural Nuance
Often implies a rural or humble upbringing in cultural representations.
In his autobiography, he recounts his dirt poor origins on a small farm.
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