ENGLISH
REFERENCE

pearls before swine

idiom
Meaning

Something of value, beauty, refinement, or wisdom left to people who will not appreciate it.


Origin

disputed origin

See cast pearls before swine.

Examples
SIMPLE

Giving him that rare book is like casting pearls before swine.

CONTEXTUAL

She spent hours explaining the complex symphony to her bored friends, feeling like she was casting pearls before swine.

COMPLEX

The professor realized that offering his deepest philosophical insights to an audience only interested in gossip was merely casting pearls before swine.

Anchors to
Related idioms1entry
  1. 01

    cast pearls before swine

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

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