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Phrase: Cheap as dirt
Even though Japan is finally, after 30 years of deflation, experiencing a period of inflation, many things are still as cheap as dirt.
It’s a common idiom used to describe something very inexpensive, often to the point of being virtually free.
The phrase cheap as dirt is most commonly used to describe things of very little value, such as plastic goods sold for a very low price.
For example, you might hear someone say plastic umbrellas are as cheap as dirt in Osaka on a rainy day because they are everywhere and sold for a very low price.
I tell you, they fly off the shelves when it’s raining.
The funny thing is no one buys an umbrella when it’s sunny.
Speaking of things that are easy to obtain or come by, you might hear someone say that mikans in Wakayama are as cheap as dirt if they are in season.
You can purchase them on the side of the road for about ￥100 for 1.5 ~ 2 kg or at a local farmers market.
In daily life, we use the phrase cheap as dirt to describe a wide range of things, from products and services to food and other goods.
It’s a term often used to express a sense of surprise or disbelief at how inexpensive something is, and it can be a great way to describe a good deal or bargain you’ve come across.
So the next time you hear someone say that something is as cheap as dirt, remember that they are describing something of very little value or very easy to obtain.
Whether you’re shopping for groceries, looking for an umbrella in a storm, or just trying to save a little bit of money, the phrase cheap as dirt is a great way to describe a good deal or bargain that you’ve come across.
Flesch-Kincaid Readability Test
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On the Flesch-Kincaid reading-ease test, this post scores 66.
The easier a passage is to read, the higher the score on a scale of 0 – 100.