separate the wheat from the chaff

Meaning: To distinguish what is valuable from what is worthless.

Example: “The editor's job is to separate the wheat from the chaff.”

Origin: In threshing, the edible grain is separated from its husks, the chaff. The image appears in the Gospels (Matthew 3:12), where the chaff is burned.

Equivalents in other languages

French: Séparer le bon grain de l'ivraie Literally: To separate the good grain from the darnel

More English idioms

a whole different ball game A completely different situation.
elbow grease Hard physical work, especially scrubbing or polishing.
not mince one's words To speak frankly, even bluntly.
have a heavy heart To feel sad or burdened.
in one's heart of hearts In one's deepest private feelings.
thick and fast Rapidly and in large numbers.

Explore another collection: Untranslatable Words

Words that capture a feeling or idea English needs a whole sentence for.

Nadryv An uncontrolled outpouring of buried feeling, often strained past anything the person tru…
Yurodivy One who plays the fool deliberately as a religious act, and is therefore licensed to spea…
Khalyava Something good got for free and without effort — and, strictly, something you were never…

Browse all untranslatable words →

Keep exploring

Explore all idioms →

Equivalents in other languages

More idioms — Nature

More English idioms

Explore another collection: Untranslatable Words