Crossword Genius

Scandal vile, and not worth much (4,5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

dirt cheap

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'scandal vile and not worth much' is the definition.
I don't know anything about this answer so I can't judge whether this works.

'scandal vile and not worth much' is the wordplay.
I cannot quite understand how this works, but
'scandal' could be 'dirt' (synonyms) and 'dirt' is located in the answer.
'not worth much' could be 'cheap' (I've seen this in another clue) and 'cheap' is found within the answer.
This accounts for all the letters.
This may be the basis of the clue (or it may be nonsense).

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for dirt cheap that I've seen before include "attractive to potential buyer?" , "at an extremely low price" , "Going for a song" , "Ridiculously inexpensive" , "Extremely inexpensive" .)

I've seen this clue in The Guardian.
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