Phrase guide

throw dirt enough, and some will stick

proverb · 1 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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1

proverb

Meaning 1

If enough allegations are made about someone or something, then even if they are all untrue, people's opinion of the person or thing will be diminished.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Examples

  • 1759, John Wesley, letter to John Downes, Rector of St. Michael's, Wood Street, read at Wesley Center Online at https://web.archive.org/web/20060903061313/http://wesley.nnu.edu/john_wesley/letters/1766.htm on 14 Oct 06. I hope...that you are ignorant of the whole affair, and are so bold only because you are blind...And blind enough; so that you blunder on through thick and thin, bespattering all that come in your way, according to the old, laudable maxim, 'Throw dirt enough, and some will stick.'
  • 1857, Thomas Hughes, Tom Brown's Schooldays, read at fullbooks.com on 14 Oct 06, But whatever harm a spiteful tongue could do them, he took care should be done. Only throw dirt enough, and some will stick.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

This proverb dates from c1650, and was popularised by Voltaire [François-Marie Arouet] in the 18th century.