other side of the tracks

the other side of the tracks

A part of a town or city that is particularly impoverished (and usually dangerous or undesirable as a result). "Tracks" refers to railroad tracks, which are sometimes thought of as demarcating different economic areas of a town. I was always looked down on as a kid because I grew up on the other side of the tracks. His mother didn't want him dating anyone from the other side of the tracks.

See also: of, other, side, track

other side of the tracks

 and wrong side of the tracks

the poor part of a town or city. He was a rich boy, and she was a girl from the other side of the tracks. You don't want to buy a house in that neighborhood. It's on the wrong side of the tracks.

See also: of, other, side, track