you can't make a silk purse of a sow's ear

English edit

Etymology edit

From make a silk purse of a sow's ear, with the common perception of swine as unrefined, dirty, or base creatures.

Proverb edit

you can't make a silk purse of a sow's ear

  1. It is not possible to produce something refined, admirable, or valuable from something which is unrefined, unpleasant, or of little or no value.

Synonyms edit

Translations edit

See also edit