potter's clay

American  

noun

1. a clay, suitably plastic and free of iron and other impurities, for use by potters.

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Etymology

Origin of potter's clay

First recorded in 1610–20

Example Sentences

Nietzsche was the Marx of the right, the original culture warrior who believed that the future belongs to those with the courage to face the nihilism of the present and mold it like potter’s clay.

From New York Times • Nov. 20, 2018

Fresh masa has a thicker consistency, more like potter’s clay, and it smells like slightly fermented corn syrup, especially if it sits out for 24 hours before you use it.

From Washington Post • Jul. 13, 2015

Her father, with the instinct of an artist, observes the outline and fills it in with potter's clay, and then bakes the model which he has obtained.

From Greek Women by Carroll, Mitchell

Mansell was as potter's clay in this man's hands.

From The Trail of the Axe A Story of Red Sand Valley by Cullum, Ridgwell

From thence he had fallen, and as the idol lay broken she had seen that what she thought sterling gold was but miserable potter’s clay.

From The Vicar's People by Fenn, George Manville