All phrases › a diamond in the rough
What does “a diamond in the rough” mean?
Meaning, example sentence and a quick practice question.
C1
Someone with great potential or good qualities that aren't yet obvious or polished
“The coach spotted her as a diamond in the rough.”
From the C1 lesson What Are They Like? (describing people).
Quick check
What does “a diamond in the rough” mean?
Teaching this phrase?“a diamond in the rough” is part of a ready-to-teach lesson, with a reading, three exercises, speaking tasks and an answer key, in Everyday English Chunks C1 Pack 1 (Life, People and Places).
See the C1 lesson pack
See the C1 lesson pack
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