someone or something whose good qualities are hidden.

This film is one of those diamonds in the rough, a wonderful gem that almost no one has noticed.

Etymology: based on the idea that you cannot see the beauty of a diamond (= jewel) when it is rough (= not yet cut and filled with brightness)

• tail end of
• tail end of something
• tail off
• tailor-made
• tailor-made for
• tailor-made for someone
• tailor-made for something
• tail wagging the dog
• take a backseat
• take a back seat
• take a backseat to
• take a backseat to someone
• take a backseat to something
• take a bath
• take a bead on
• take a bead on someone
• take a bead on something
• take a beating
• take a bite out of
• take a bite out of something
• take a blind bit of notice
• take a cold shower
• take a crack at
• take a crack at doing something
• take a crack at something