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cast pearls before swine

idiom
Meaning

To give things of value to those who will not understand or appreciate them.


Origin

disputed origin

From the Bible "Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you." – KJV, Matthew 7:6.

Examples
SIMPLE

Why cast pearls before swine? They won't care.

CONTEXTUAL

He stopped explaining poetry to them; it felt like casting pearls before swine.

COMPLEX

She finally understood that sharing her research with the committee was casting pearls before swine, since they had already decided to ignore every expert opinion.

Anchors to
Related idioms8entries
  1. 01

    cast a chill

    To provoke an uneasy feeling which stops a conversation, as by an uncalled act or word.

  2. 02

    cast a shadow

    To dampen future events.

  3. 03

    cast aside

    Synonym of discard.

  4. 04

    cast aspersions

    To make damaging or spiteful remarks.

  5. 05

    cast in concrete

    solidly established, very difficult to alter

  6. 06

    cast in someone's teeth

    To accuse someone of something, or reproach them for it.

  7. 07

    cast loose

    To unfasten, loosen, or set free.

  8. 08

    cast of thousands

    A large number of people in one place or carrying out one action.

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