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Region: General | Usage example: He separated the wheat from the chaff in the drafts.

Separate the wheat from the chaff

Meaning

Distinguish valuable from worthless.

Usage

Used when sorting quality from quantity.

Origin & History

Origins and dates here are approximate summaries. Many idioms have disputed or unknown origins, and not every date has been checked against a historical dictionary, so treat specific dates and stories as a starting point rather than a citation.

Agricultural practice of winnowing grain.

Biblical imagery dating to ancient times.

Related Idioms

Apple don't fall far from the tree

Children often resemble their parents.

Cut from the same cloth

Very similar in nature or origin.

Pull the rug out from under

Suddenly undermine someone's position.

More Idioms

Break the ice

To do or say something to relieve tension or get conversation going in a social situation.

Cut to the chase

Skip ahead to the most important or exciting part of something.

The ball is in your court

It is now your turn to take action or make a decision.

Throw in the towel

To concede defeat or admit a struggle isn't worth continuing.