make a silk purse (out) of a sow's ear

1. To create something beautiful, desirable, or valuable out of poor tools or materials. Often used in negative constructions. You want me to make a wedding dress out of this tacky fabric? I'm sorry, but you can't expect me to make a silk purse out of a sow's ear! You say you want to take professional-quality photos, but you're still using a digital camera from 2003. You're not going to magically make a silk purse of a sow's ear, you know.

2. To turn a negative or undesirable thing or situation into something positive or worthwhile. Our consultancy firm specializes in making silk purses out of sows' ears. We identify and rectify inherent structural problems in an organization and get it working to the best of its potential. The mayoral candidate has an indefatigable optimism about the crime-ridden city, promising to make a silk purse of a sow's ear.

make a silk purse out of a sow's ear

turn something inferior into something of top quality.

The observation that you can't make a silk purse out of a sow's ear has been proverbial since the late 16th century; there was an earlier version which featured a goat's fleece instead of a sow's ear .

See also: ear, make, of, out, purse, silk

Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017

make a silk ˌpurse out of a sow’s ˈear

succeed in making something good out of material that does not seem very good at all: If you’re serious about taking up painting, invest in good quality brushes and canvas. After all, it’s no good trying to make a silk purse out of a sow’s ear.

See also: ear, make, of, out, purse, silk

Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017

See also:

References in periodicals archive

[bar] YOU can't make a silk purse out of a sow's ear, as the old adage goes.

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That will be as good as it can be for the people of Wales, but it won't make a silk purse out of a sow's ear.

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Remember that old adage "garbage in, garbage out," because, as in all cases it is tree, it is impossible to make a silk purse out of a sow's ear.

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YOU can't make a silk purse out of a sow's ear. The players that Rafa has at his disposal are simply not good enough.

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But to create the clarity of the space, and allow its very complex interconnections, to make a silk purse out of a sow's ear of a site, and to relate structure and climate control in such an satisfactory way shows architectural and engineering skills of a very high order.

Jubilee termination

IN the 16th century William Shakespeare said: "You can't make a silk purse out of a sow's ear!"

Letter: Bard wisdom