the scum of the earth

the scum of the earth

The absolute worst kind of person or people. The phrase comes from the Bible. The people who carried out those atrocities are the scum of the earth.
See also: earth, of, scum
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

the ˌscum of the ˈearth

(informal) a person or a group of people thought to be worthless, evil or completely without good qualities: Drug dealers are the scum of the earth. OPPOSITE: the salt of the earth
Scum is a layer of dirt on the surface of water.
See also: earth, of, scum
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
See also:
  • a couple of (people or things)
  • couple
  • couple of
  • big and bold
  • come from far and wide
  • along the beaten track
  • beaten
  • force of numbers
  • (there are) too many chiefs and not enough Indians
  • chief
References in classic literature
So far from having high connections I have no connections at all, and I come of the scum of the earth. But towards that lady, I do care what you do; and you shall do what is deferential and respectful, or you shall not come here.'
And against that, I have the misfortune to be a convicted felon, who has spent the last ten or a dozen years amongst the scum of the earth, engaged in degrading tasks, and with no identity save a number.
Show us every mark of deepest respect, while we treat you like the scum of the earth.' The miscreants have written a tissue of calumny in their article, and these are the men who seek for truth, and do battle for the right!
Son Derek said: "These people are the scum of the earth. Their relatives must know they are responsible.
A 49-year-old man, who lives near the scene, said: "The people who did this are the scum of the earth."
Stating that he was quoted out of context, the minister said, "I had not called all the 6.5 million tourists visiting Goa the scum of the earth. I had said certain sections of them were creating nuisance and were actually the scum of the earth and that we should not have such tourists in Goa."
The people who did this are absolutely low lifes, they are the scum of the earth.
They hadn't had a precious photo stolen by "the scum of the earth" but their beautiful, living, breathing daughter, so forgive me Mike if l show you the same compassion you showed them.
Duterte sees them, they are derelicts of society, the scum of the earth which are better eradicated in order to redeem 'his' country from them,' Rosales said.
These people are the scum of the earth and not fit to walk among society.
He posted: "Anyone who can harm any animal or child is the scum of the earth. Hope the police catch them."
"They would tell us we were lower than the scum of the earth to teach us to do as we were told."
Last night we were robbed by the scum of the earth praying (sic) on flood victims."
Branded "the scum of the earth by his victims", the 66-year-old sexually abused boys as young as 12 before he was jailed in 1994 for 10 years.
A few lawyers defending the scum of the earth offer this argument with such zest it suggests a belief that the ghastliest of crimes in this world are but a cry of help from distressed souls.