cast pearls before swine: Idiom Meaning and Origin
What does ‘cast pearls before swine’ mean?
The idiom "cast pearls before swine" means to offer something valuable or precious to someone who cannot appreciate or understand its worth.
Idiom Explorer
The idiom "pearls before swine" means to offer something valuable or precious to someone who can't appreciate or understand its worth.
The idiom "kill the goose that lays the golden eggs" means to destroy a valuable source of income or opportunity by being greedy or short-sighted.
In the idiom "eat one's seed corn", the phrase refers to consuming or disposing of valuable resources without considering the long-term consequences. It implies a short-sightedness and lack of foresight, often resulting in detrimental effects on future prospects or success.
The idiom "cut bait" means to stop wasting time or resources on something that is not productive or successful. It comes from the practice of fishing, where if one type of bait is not attracting any fish, it is better to cut it off and try a different approach.
The idiom "cook someone's goose" means to ruin someone's plans or cause their downfall.
The idiom "catch flies" means to do something unproductive or idle, often in a way that suggests a lack of focus or concentration on important tasks.
The idiom "catch as catch can" means to do something in an unplanned or haphazard way, taking advantage of any available opportunity or method without any particular order or rules.
The idiom "cat in the sack" means to buy something without first examining it, to take a risk without knowing what one is getting into or to make a commitment before fully understanding the consequences. It is often used to caution against hasty decisions or blind trust.
The idiom "cast the first stone" means to be the first to criticize or judge someone when you yourself are also guilty of wrongdoing.
The idiom "cast aspersions" means to make false or damaging statements about someone's character or reputation.
Gems Squandered
The idiom "cast pearls before swine" is used to convey the act of giving or offering something of value to someone who is unable to appreciate or understand its worth. It is often used to express the futility of sharing valuable or meaningful things with individuals who are incapable of recognizing their value.
The origin of this idiom can be traced back to the biblical reference in Matthew 7:6, which states, "Do not give what is holy to dogs, and do not throw your pearls before swine, or they will trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces." This passage cautions against presenting sacred or precious things to those who would not appreciate or understand their significance, as it would only lead to contempt or harm.
The phrase "cast pearls before swine" originated in the 17th century and gained popularity through its appearance in various literary works. It has become ingrained in the English language as a widely understood idiom.
The idiom relies on the metaphorical use of "pearls" and "swine" to symbolize valuable and worthless entities, respectively. Pearls, known for their beauty, rarity, and value, represent something precious or highly esteemed. Swine, often associated with greed, ignorance, and an inability to appreciate finer things, symbolize worthlessness.
"cast aside" is another idiom related to "cast pearls before swine". It refers to the act of disregarding or abandoning something or someone. Just as valuable pearls can be cast aside by those who do not recognize their worth, anything of value can be dismissed or neglected by individuals who fail to appreciate it.
The idiom "cast the first stone" is also related to "cast pearls before swine". It derives from the biblical story in John 8:7, in which Jesus challenges a group of people ready to stone a woman caught in adultery and tells them, "Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her." This idiom reminds us not to judge or condemn others when we ourselves are not perfect, just as we should not offer valuable things to those who will not appreciate them.
An additional related idiom is "cast aspersions". It means to make false or damaging statements about someone's character or reputation. Like casting pearls before swine, casting aspersions is futile since it involves offering something negative or harmful to a person, rather than recognizing their worth.
Overall, the idiom "cast pearls before swine" encapsulates the idea of giving or presenting valuable things to individuals who cannot appreciate or understand their worth. It serves as a cautionary reminder to carefully choose the recipients of our offerings and to recognize the importance of sharing with those who can truly appreciate and benefit from what is being offered.
Example usage
1. Despite his best efforts to share his knowledge with his colleagues, he felt like he was casting pearls before swine as they showed little interest in learning and improving.
2. The professor decided not to waste any more time explaining advanced concepts to the unprepared students, as he believed it would be like casting pearls before swine.
3. She realized that trying to have a meaningful conversation about politics with her close-minded uncle was futile, as it would be casting pearls before swine.
More "Metaphorical" idioms
