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piece of garbage
01
a person viewed as useless, ineffectual, or of little value
Disapproving
Informal
What is the origin of the term "piece of garbage" and how is it used?
"Piece of garbage" is a slang insult that appeared in English in the 20th century, using the metaphor of trash to describe a person as useless, ineffectual, or of little value. The phrase emphasizes strong contempt, equating the person's worth or behavior with something discarded and worthless. It is used in informal, often hostile or mocking contexts, such as conversation, media, or online posts, to express disdain or insult. The term is clearly derogatory and intended to demean; it is never neutral.
Examples
I felt like a piece of junk after messing up the presentation.
