Word after “cheap as” or “old as” NYT crossword clue

This clue plays on a common idiomatic pattern in English where a simile is formed using “as ___ as ___.” In this case, “cheap as” and “old as” are both familiar expressions where the following word completes a popular phrase. The trick lies in recognizing the word that commonly follows both. For example, the phrase “cheap as dirt” suggests something very inexpensive, and “old as dirt” describes something extremely old.

The word that logically and idiomatically follows both “cheap as” and “old as” is dirt. It’s a fitting solution because it’s used in both phrases in everyday English, making it a popular crossword clue and answer.