View synonyms for

diamond in the rough

Someone or something with potential or talent but lacking training or polish: “Her singing voice is beautiful, but she needs help with her gestures; she's a diamond in the rough.” This phrase refers to the fact that diamonds found in nature are rough and uneven. They must be cut and polished to bring out their true beauty.

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Idioms and Phrases

Also, a rough diamond. A person of exceptional character or potential but lacking polish and refinement. For example, Jack is intelligent and trustworthy but lacks manners—he's a diamond in the rough. [Early 1600s]

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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

“But the diamond in the rough is that the Duke’s family and the surfing community have all rallied around. I am so appreciative.”

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Wild Mother had also turned to social media to find her tribe - having been called "a weirdo, an alien, a diamond in the rough" offline - and has built a following of thousands.

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“It was portrayed as she found this diamond in the rough that nobody ever heard of,” said French.

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"We try to find those diamonds in the rough… those undervalued artists and give them a platform to shine," says Mr Desai.

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But our best type of recruit is what I call a diamond in the rough.

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diamondiferous diamond jubilee

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