cast pearls before swine

Idioms and Phrases

Give something of value of someone who won't appreciate it, as in The old professor felt that lecturing on Dante to unruly undergraduates would be casting pearls before swine . This term comes from the New Testament (Matthew 7:6), appearing in Tyndale's translation (1526). It was repeated often by writers from Shakespeare to Dickens and remains current.

Example Sentences

I am going to follow the example of the man who cast pearls before swine—I'm going to cast you a pearl from one of my own poems.

From Project Gutenberg

Some would not rightly appreciate the value of your frankness, and never cast pearls before swine.

From Project Gutenberg

If we cast pearls before swine, my boy, we must not be surprised to find them taken for the seeds of cabbage-heads.

From Project Gutenberg

Herewith I pause, for why should I cast pearls before swine?

From Project Gutenberg