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 give up your values for money or fame
To act in a way that goes against your values to get money or attention
Act badly to get money, power, or success
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'.