Home Arts & LiteratureLanguagesTranslations Subscribe to RSS

What Is Meant By The Proverb 'A Diamond In The Rough'?

Answer Question

1 Answer - Sort by: Date | Rating

              The phrase is "A diamond in the ROUGH." It comes from the fact that when diamonds are newly mined - that is, before they have been cut and polished - they don't shine, in fact they look quite a lot like pebbles and are easily overlooked in their "rough" state.

              From this comes the idea that a person can also be like a diamond in the rough or, in the more common idiom, "a rough diamond." This means a person who has rough, uncultivated or even impolite manners, but at heart is a very good person with excellent qualities. So if you described someone as a rough diamond, you would basically be paying them a compliment as you mean that they are a good person underneath - but you are also saying that their outward style and behaviour isn't very attractive - and that isn't such a compliment!
    0 0

    Wordy 

    answered 3 years ago

    WOW That's harsh. I've been told that by many employers and never known what that actually meant. Although, I have received great reviews from all of my bosses but now I am left with what to do to polish myself up. To make me shine. I have manners and poise and such but wow I'm not sure what to think.
    Report
    Jewles

    Jewles

    commented 1 year ago

      More

         
         

        Ask a Question via Twitter

        Send a question to @askblurtit and we will publish it online and send you a reply everytime you receive an answer.

        Blurtit Store

        Get T-shirts, hoodies, caps and more at the Blurtit store

        Blurtit International