IdiomDaily Life
English
Englishdiamond in the rough
Meaning: An unpolished or unsophisticated person that has potential.
Example: “The new recruit is a diamond in the rough; with training, she'll be a star.”
Origin: An uncut diamond looks like a dull pebble until it is cut and polished. The comparison for a person of good character but rough manners is recorded from the 17th century, as "rough diamond"; the American "diamond in the rough" is later.
More English idioms
- down to the wire To the deadline.
- draw a blank To get no result; or to be unable to remember something.
- draw the line at something To not allow something beyond a certain acceptable point.
- dressed to kill Dressed to make a strong impression, usually in fancy or stylish clothes.
- drum someone out of the corps To expel someone from a group or organization.
- dyed in the wool Having a trait that is thoroughly ingrained or basic to one's nature.
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Words that look familiar in another language but mean something else entirely.
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