diamond

diamond cut diamond

A situation in which two equally cunning or devious people spar or interact. Primarily heard in UK. It's always diamond cut diamond when those two schemers get together.
See also: cut, diamond

diamond in the rough

A person or thing with exceptional qualities or characteristics that cannot be seen from the surface. The new employee initially seemed to lack confidence, but after seeing how hard he works, we realized that he's a diamond in the rough and is really a great asset to the company.
See also: diamond, rough

rough diamond

Someone or something that is unrefined but has many exceptional aspects or underlying potential. Primarily heard in UK, Australia. The young actor was a rough diamond. With some training, she'd become a superstar.
See also: diamond, rough
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

diamond in the rough

Fig. a person who has good qualities despite a rough exterior; a person with great potential. Sam looks a little scruffy, but he's a diamond in the rough. He's a diamond in the rough—a little hard to take at times, but very smart and helpful.
See also: diamond, rough
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.

diamond in the rough

Also, a rough diamond. A person of exceptional character or potential but lacking polish and refinement. For example, Jack is intelligent and trustworthy but lacks manners-he's a diamond in the rough. [Early 1600s]
See also: diamond, rough
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.

a rough diamond

mainly BRITISH or

a diamond in the rough

AMERICAN
1. If you call someone, especially a man a rough diamond, you admire their good qualities, even though they are not very polite or well-educated. Note: A rough diamond is a diamond that has not yet been cut and polished. Marden was the rough diamond of the three, feared for his ruthlessness but respected for his First World War Military Cross. I liked Neil Murphy, who is somewhat of a diamond in the rough.
2. If you call someone or something a rough diamond, you mean that they have talent or good qualities which are hidden or not well developed and could be developed more. Note: A rough diamond is a diamond that has not yet been cut and polished. British first novels are more likely to be rough diamonds, with flashes of inspiration in an imperfect whole. When I heard this lady sing, I ran to the theater, and I said, `Chick, I found myself a diamond in the rough.'
See also: diamond, rough
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed.

diamond cut diamond

a situation in which a sharp-witted or cunning person meets their match. British
1863 Charles Reade Hard Cash He felt…sure his employer would outwit him if he could; and resolved it should be diamond cut diamond.
See also: cut, diamond

a rough diamond

a person who has genuinely fine qualities but uncouth manners. informal
Literally, a rough diamond is a diamond before it has been cut and polished. A North American variant of this expression is a diamond in the rough .
See also: diamond, rough
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

a ˌrough ˈdiamond

(British English) (American English a ˌdiamond in the ˈrough) a person who has many good qualities even though they do not seem to be very polite, educated, etc: Don’t be put off by your first impressions — he’s something of a rough diamond.
A rough diamond is a diamond that has not yet been cut or polished.
See also: diamond, rough
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

diamond in the rough

n. a person who is wonderful despite a rough exterior; a person with great potential. He’s a diamond in the rough—a little hard to take at times, but okay mostly.
See also: diamond, rough
McGraw-Hill's Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions

diamond in the rough

One having exceptionally good qualities or the potential for greatness but lacking polish and refinement.
See also: diamond, rough
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition.

diamond in the rough, a

An individual of intrinsic merit but uncultivated manners. The simile comes from mining, where the uncut, unpolished diamond resembles a hunk of worthless rock but may, after processing, be both beautiful and very valuable. John Fletcher’s 1624 play, AWife for a Month, has it, “She is very honest, and will be hard to cut as a rough diamond” (4.2).
See also: diamond
The Dictionary of Clichés by Christine Ammer

diamond in the rough

A basically admirable person who is full of potential, but lacks the social graces. The image is that of a raw gemstone that, once cut and polished, will shine.
See also: diamond, rough
Endangered Phrases by Steven D. Price
See also:
  • diamond cut diamond
  • battle of the giants
  • Box and Cox
  • at each other's throats
  • chalk and cheese
  • be at each other's throats
  • between two fires
  • (one, two, three) strikes against (someone or something)
  • at opposite poles
  • in two
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He therefore said it was crucial for the Ministry of Mineral Resources, Green Technology and Energy Security, DTCB, Botswana Diamond Hub and other relevant stakeholders to set a strong campaign to promote and boost Botswana Diamonds Dream.
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Lucara Diamond Corp revealed the 1,758-carat diamond, with a size bigger than a tennis ball and a mass of about 352g (12.42 ounces).
Largest Uncut Diamond In The World Is 1,758 Carats, Bigger Than Tennis Ball
This diamond will be displayed alongside the 127 carat, top white gem diamond reported earlier this year, together with other exceptional diamonds recently recovered from Karowe, at Lucara's upcoming diamond tender closing on 7 March 2019.
Lucara Diamond reports recovery of 240 carat top white gem diamond from Karowe mine in Botswana
Mithali Raj, captain of the Indian women's cricket team and the official ambassador for Rio Tinto's Australian Diamonds programme, was honored with the Senco Gold and Diamonds, Swarna Samman award at a star-studded event held in Kolkata on Friday 21st December.
Mithali Raj honoured by Australian diamonds retail partner Senco gold and diamonds
The diamond was unearthed at the Diavik Diamond Mine, approximately 135 miles south of the Arctic Circle in Canada's Northwest Territories, the mining company Dominion Diamond Mines said in a press release on Thursday.
Chicken-egg sized 552-carat yellow diamond found in Canada, largest in North America
Star Australian all-rounder Shane Watson moves to Diamond as Player Mentor.
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Olga Rosina has been in the diamond industry for a couple of decades, she has worked for two of the largest rough diamond mining operations in Russia.
Diamond Price Calculator More Reliable Than Price List - Olga Rosina
Malabar Gold & Diamonds, the leading jewellery retailer is ready to win the hearts of jewellery lovers with the 'Everyday Diamonds' collection showcasing a wide range of diamond jewellery at competitive prices.
Malabar Gold & Diamonds reveals its 'Everyday Diamonds'
A global coalition of organizations working for justice and peace in Palestine have called on the EU to seek the suspension of Israel from the Kimberley Process and a ban on Israel diamond exports at next week 's meeting of the diamond regulatory body in Antwerp.
Blood Diamonds: Human Rights Campaigners Want 'Kimberley Process' to Suspend Israel
Now in a fully updated third edition, "Diamond Handbook: How to Identify & Evaluate Diamonds" is an essential instructional guide and manual for jewelry professionals and serious diamond buyers with comprehensive information on new developments in diamond grading, treatments, synthetic diamonds, imitations, branded diamonds and fancy-color diamonds.
Diamond Handbook, third edition Renee Newman GG
Beltsville-based WD Lab Grown Diamonds announced Tuesday its patented technology has successfully created a 6-carat round diamond that now stands as the world's only known lab-made CVD diamond of its size and shape.
Md. company grows largest round diamond