diamond in the rough

Cultural  

1. 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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diamond in the rough Idioms  

1. 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

“There are a lot of diamonds in the rough…that have sleepy management teams,” Cohen said about the retail industry.

From The Wall Street Journal

That will require Chesney to find those “diamonds in the rough” from his James Madison coaching days.

From Los Angeles Times

Certain items may be overvalued, while others may be the proverbial diamonds in the rough.

From MarketWatch

Investors always like to find a diamond in the rough.

From Barron's

“Everyone would want the diamond in the rough, which is really the studios business ... and HBO.”

From Los Angeles Times