English Explanatory Dictionary

separate the wheat from the chaff

English dictionary entry

Meanings

verb
  1. To select only that which is of value.

Pronunciation

En-au-separate the wheat from the chaff.ogg

Word forms

separate the wheat from the chaff separates the wheat from the chaff separating the wheat from the chaff separated the wheat from the chaff

Etymology

The figurative sense is by extension from the literal sense, which is threshing. Because threshing has been an important activity for humans for thousands of years, it is well represented both in folk wisdom and (relatedly) in the Bible; for example, Matthew 3:12.

Synonyms

sort the wheat from the chaff winnow the wheat from the chaff winnow winnow grain from chaff

Related words

wheat and tares
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