What it means
Used to call something rubbish, disappointing, or just a bit crap. Works for films, weather, dates, customer service, the lot. Can throw outsiders because pants also means underwear, so That film was pants is an insult, not a washing note. Mild enough for most company, but still properly stings when you're annoyed about it.
Usage examples
"How was that new sequel then? Proper pants, mate, they binned all the good bits. I’m gutted, had the snacks ready and everything."
"Tried that burger place everyone raves about and honestly it was pants, cold chips and a soggy bun."
"The first half was pants, but they turned it around after the break and nicked a win at the death."
Where it comes from
Pants has been British for underwear since forever, the stuff you keep well hidden, so calling something pants basically files it down there with the dodgy bits. The put-down took off with British youth in the nineties and stuck around, handy because it sounds cheeky rather than properly rude.
Other ways to say it
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