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make a silk purse

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Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

No manager can make a silk purse out of a sow's ear though.

From BBC • Nov. 12, 2022

“It follows the old adage that you can’t make a silk purse out of a sow’s ear,” Adams said.

From Washington Post • Nov. 11, 2021

It takes all sorts to make a silk purse but birds of a feather flock in your cap.

From The New Yorker • Sep. 2, 2019

But I must say, you did make a silk purse out of this.

From New York Times • Jun. 16, 2017

This Roman proverb, Courteous Reader! is adequately rendered by a homely one of our own--"You cannot make a silk purse out of a sow's ear."

From Walladmor: And Now Freely Translated from the German into English. In Two Volumes. Vol. II. by De Quincey, Thomas

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