Meaning
- find and disclose destructive evidence about someone.
- finding derogatory details about something or somebody.
- finding negative information that is concealed.
- attempt to discover negative things about an individual to prevent others from admiring them.
- information about a person that could ruin their reputation.
Example Sentences
- After calling my sources at the tabloids, I dug up dirt on the actress.
- The leading candidate is not sparing any time to dig up dirt on his rival.
- She hired a private investigator to dig up dirt on her rival.
- I don't mind what the opposition is doing. I'm running a clean campaign, and there's no need for anyone on my team to dig up any dirt on our rivals.
- In the movie, a corrupt district attorney frames a dirt-digging reporter, and he is sentenced to manslaughter.
- The secretary has been digging up dirt about her ex-husband and spreading it.
- They are making every effort possible to dig up dirt on the opposing contender.
Origin
The idiom comes from the words dig and dig. To dig is to make a hole or to turn up the soil with a spade or other tool. Dirt is a substance like dust or mud that makes things unclean. People commonly use the word dirt as a metaphor for scandals or unsavory gossip. Digging up dirt on someone means finding information that can harm their reputation.
