Meaning of make a silk purse of a sow's ear | Babel Free

Definitions

To produce something refined, admirable, or valuable from something which is unrefined, unpleasant, or of little or no value.

idiomatic

Equivalents

Examples

“"He always was an unmannerly cub," said Master Headley, as he read the letter. "Well, I've done my best to make a silk purse of a sow's ear!"”

“PR people can make a silk purse of a sow's ear.”

“A smart development can make a silk purse of a sow's ear, and the effect on older properties can be quite dramatic.”

CEFR level