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dirt on somebody
01
the action of publishing or spreading unpleasant details about someone's private life in order to negatively impact the public's opinion of them
Disapproving
Idiom
Informal
What is the origin of the idiom "dirt on someone" and when to use it?
The idiom "dirt on someone" is believed to have originated in the mid-20th century and has its roots in the concept of dirt as a metaphor for shameful or embarrassing information. The phrase is commonly used in a gossip or scandal context, where someone has information that could be used to expose secrets or weaknesses of another person.
Examples
The journalist claimed to have dirt on the senator.
