Idiom
make a pig's ear of
Meanings
To do a task very badly, causing a mess or failure.
Definition
To make a pig's ear of something means to do it very badly and create a mess or failure.
If you make a pig's ear of something, you do it clumsily or incorrectly so the result is disappointing or chaotic. It is often used when someone ruins a task that should be simple. The phrase is informal and can sound mildly critical or humorous.
Examples
- I tried to fix the shelf, but I made a pig's ear of it.
- Don't let him assemble the desk—he'll make a pig's ear of it.
- She made a pig's ear of the presentation by skipping the key slides.
- We made a pig's ear of the booking and ended up at the wrong hotel.
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