to whore your talent
- phrasal verb
- Offensive
- She felt like she was whoring her talent by taking on uninspiring freelance jobs.
Examples
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Many artists regret whoring their talent for projects they don't believe in.
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He refused to whore his talent just to make some quick cash.
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Don't whore your talent for a few dollars.
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She refuses to whore her talent just to get ahead.
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He refused to whore his talent just to make some quick cash.
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Many artists regret whoring their talent for projects they don't believe in.
-
She felt like she was whoring her talent by taking on uninspiring freelance jobs.
Synonyms
To sell yourself for money or personal gain
To act in a way that goes against your values to get money or attention
Act badly to get money, power, or success
To give up your values for money or fame
How Compromised
- Offensive
- Informal
- US
- Texting
Surface Forms
Morphology
Given knowledge of the verb 'whore' as 'to sell or betray one's principles', a learner can infer 'whore your talent' means to sell or exploit your abilities; the composition is a metaphorical extension (prostituting a quality) rather than completely arbitrary. Because this relies on a colloquial, morally charged metaphor and is not a standard, literal composition, comprehension is likely but somewhat marked and not fully predictable without exposure.
Etymology
The phrase whore your talent uses the strong image of a whore selling herself and compares that to selling your talent. So, to whore your talent means 'to sell or use your skills for money or fame in a cheap way, losing your self-respect'.