Definition
To superficially alter something in the hope of making it seem more appealing than it is in actuality.
In Context
- "Near-synonyms: polish a turd, sugarcoat the pill"
- "That new box is like putting lipstick on a pig. It's still the same buggy program inside."
- "Fran Healy, Mets announcer and former Giants catcher (about the possibility of putting a dome on Candlestick): "It would be like putting lipstick on a pig.""
Also Said As
See Also
- mutton dressed as lamb
- old wine in a new bottle
- you can't make a silk purse of a sow's ear
- you can't polish a turd
- cast pearls before swine