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# the wrong side of the tracks

phrase (idiom, noun phrase, «the wrong side of the tracks»)

«the wrong side of the tracks» in the English dictionary: in the primary school — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## In the primary school

Source: Mova's pupils' dictionary. Licence: [Elamur Cosmic License](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/docs/LICENSE/). Reviewed: the dictionary the pupils of Mova's primary school read; its examples quote the lessons and public-domain tales. Ships with Mova.

### Meaning

1. (euphemism, US) the poorer, rougher part of a town.
2. (by extension) a poor or low-status background.

### In the lessons

From American towns where a railway line divided rich and poor areas. People say it to mention poverty or class without saying «poor» directly, often with snobbery or in stories about love across classes. Also used in Canada, Australia and the UK.

### Examples

- (story) She grew up on the wrong side of the tracks but became a doctor.
- (gossip) Her parents didn't like him because he was from the wrong side of the tracks.
- (film) The hero is a kid from the wrong side of the tracks.
- (news) Nobody should be judged for being born on the wrong side of the tracks.
- (chat) we're from the wrong side of the tracks and proud lol
- (literal) The station's car park is on the other side of the tracks.

### Note

Trap: there may be no real railway; it means a poorer area. It can sound snobbish or unkind. Proudly used by people who rose from poverty.