Meaning of put the beggar on the gentleman | Babel Free

Definitions

To follow up something good with something inferior.

UK, idiomatic, obsolete, slang

Examples

“He called for two gills of ale, and I took my share; but I was determined not to put the beggar on the gentleman, that was my phrase to him, being a fellow workman. And when they brought the two glasses of ale, I took mine, and gave it to a man of the name of Thomas Kay; […]”

“And there is the grandmother who says scornfully, if someone makes a good cake with poor icing, "That is putting the beggar on the gentleman".”

CEFR level