scum of the earth
An undesirable individual; the worst type of person or people.
Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
“Most people think that thieves are the scum of the earth.”
“The judge told the criminal that he was the scum of the earth for stealing from the elderly.”
“The detective looked at the man with pure disgust, convinced that he was the absolute scum of the earth for his cruel actions.”
- 01
come down to earth
To be brought back to reality; to emerge from a daydream.
- 02
cost the earth
To be a huge expense.
- 03
edge of the earth
A very remote place.
- 04
go to the ends of the earth
To do everything possible to achieve something.
- 05
God's green earth
The world.
- 06
green in earth
Of a deceased person, recently buried.
- 07
hell on earth
A very unpleasant situation; torment, particularly when widespread.
- 08
move heaven and earth
To do whatever is necessary, including extreme or unusual actions; to go to extremes.
Last updated August 10, 2026