chew the meat and spit out the bones

chew the meat and spit out the bones

To separate good or valuable information from that which is unsound or invalid. With so many manuscripts arriving daily, it's a challenge to chew the meat and spit out the bones. In the beginning, you'll probably need some guidance in discerning the truly exceptional manuscripts. Don't get hung up on outdated terminology in your studies—just chew the meat and spit out the bones. You don't have to agree everything I'm putting forth, just take what works for you and leave the rest. Chew the meat and spit out the bones, as it were.

See also: and, bone, chew, meat, out, spit

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