treat like dirt

treat (one) like dirt

To treat one very poorly or disrespectfully; to treat one as having no value. I'm not surprised that so many of your employees are quitting—you treat them like dirt!

See also: dirt, like, treat

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

treat like dirt

Behave badly or show contempt toward, as in Her boss treats all the secretaries like dirt. This idiom uses dirt in the sense of "something worthless," a usage dating from the mid-1300s.

See also: dirt, like, treat

The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer. Copyright © 2003, 1997 by The Christine Ammer 1992 Trust. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.