Phrase Guide Staff

Put Lipstick on a Pig

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The phrase “put lipstick on a pig“ is a colorful idiom that conveys the futility of trying to improve or beautify something fundamentally flawed or unattractive. Literally, the phrase paints an absurd image of applying lipstick to a pig, an act that doesn’t change the fact that it’s still a pig. Figuratively, it’s used to … Read more

Chum in the Water

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The phrase “chum in the water” has a vivid and evocative meaning, often used metaphorically to describe a situation where an initial action or event triggers heightened activity, often with a sense of frenzy or anticipation. Literally, the phrase originates from the practice of throwing “chum” — a mixture of fish parts, blood, and other … Read more