diamond in the rough
7
5.2
- idiom
- Informal
:
diamante en bruto
- Hey, she could be a diamond in the rough, you know?
- find a diamond in the rough
- look for a diamond in the rough
Look for the diamond in the rough right now.
- Look for the diamond in the rough right now.
- Sometimes, however, you find a diamond in the rough.
Examples
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And also, the Knicks got a diamond in the rough.
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Your classmates are probably the best diamonds in the rough that you can learn from.
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You, you were a diamond in the rough.
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This is a diamond in the rough.
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A diamond in the rough... if ever I saw one.
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Gotta hope for some diamonds in the rough at this point!
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But in the United States, Rand, WV, is truly a diamond in the rough.
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Wiber: Janoris Jenkins has been a diamond in the rough.
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Many opportunities are not easy to spot at first glance, but the focused and aware individual can find the diamond in the rough and creatively shape it into a future sales success.
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The coach believes that with the right training, she can become a true diamond in the rough on the team.
Synonyms
9
3.4
A natural ability that is strong but not yet trained
How Polished
- Informal
7
5.2
9
3.4
Surface Forms
Morphology
The phrase combines 'diamond' (a valuable, precious thing) with 'rough' (unpolished) in a straightforward metaphorical image; a learner who knows both words can deduce 'valuable but lacking polish'. The construction is a common, transparent metaphor across many languages, so its meaning is readily inferable at B1.
Etymology
Diamond in the rough comes from the image of a diamond hidden inside a rough rock that must be cut and polished to shine. So it means 'a person or thing with great value or talent but not yet polished'.