separate the wheat from the chaff

== English == === 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. === Pronunciation === === Verb === separate the wheat from the chaff (third-person singular simple present separates the wheat from the chaff, present participle separating the wheat from the chaff, simple past and past participle separated the wheat from the chaff) (idiomatic, intransitive) To select only that which is of value. Synonyms: sort the wheat from the chaff, winnow the wheat from the chaff, winnow, winnow grain from chaff Hyponyms: (figurative) cream the crop, cherry-pick ==== Translations ==== ==== See also ==== === References ===