Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

cast pearls before swine

Word Rarity Rare

Frequency: Zipf frequency 3.18 in modern English

Syllables: cast -pearl-s be-fore swine
IPA

33

Scrabble Score

21

Letters

4

Syllables

14

Unique Chars

Meaning

verb

To give things of value to those who will not understand or appreciate them.

Example Sentences

"Blanche: ...Physical beauty is passing. A transitory possession. But beauty of the mind and richness of the spirit and tenderness of the heart—and I have all of those things—aren't taken away, but grow! Increase with the years! How strange that I should be called a destitute woman! When I have all of these treasures locked in my heart. [A choked sob comes from her] I think of myself as a very, very rich woman! But I have been foolish—casting my pearls before swine!"

Etymology

From the Bible: "Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you." – KJV, Matthew 7:6.

Inflected Forms

casts pearls before swine (present, singular) casting pearls before swine (participle, present)

Phrases

pearls before swine caviar to the general talk over somebody's head

Frequently Paired Words

caviar to the general talk over somebody's head

Synonyms

preach to deaf ears

Questions

What does cast pearls before swine mean?: To give things of value to those who will not understand or appreciate them.
Where does cast pearls before swine come from?: From the Bible: "Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you." – KJV, Matthew 7:6.

How to pronounce cast pearls before swine

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