treat like dirt
Show utter contempt
To treat someone like dirt is to show them no respect or consideration—to behave as if they're worthless.
The phrase suggests systematic disregard rather than a single slight: He treated her like dirt for years before she finally left.
The image is of something you walk on without noticing.
- mistreatTo harm or neglect
- step onPress down with foot
- ignoreRefuse to notice
- kick to the curbReject someone abruptly
- humiliateCause painful shame
give the cold shoulder · put down · insult · hurt · exploit · degrade · marginalize · oppress · throw under the bus · scorn · take for granted · belittle · talk down to · walk all over · push around · ostracize · offend · spit on