Mutton dressed as lamb

Definitions

• discourage someone
  Advise against engaging in a particular activity or task, cautioning that it will not result in any positive outcome or benefit

• criticize someone's appearance or behavior
  Comment on someone who is trying to appear younger or more attractive than they actually are, often in a negative or disapproving way

Examples of Mutton dressed as lamb

• The CEO of the company tried to appear approachable and friendly at the networking event, but his stiff demeanor and formal language made him come across as Mutton dressed as a Lamb.

  This idiom is being used here to describe a situation where someone is attempting to present themselves as more youthful, innocent, or approachable than they actually are. In this example, the CEO's efforts to appear more casual and friendly fell flat because his attempt to change his persona came off as insincere and forced, leading to the negative comparative "Mutton dressed as a Lamb".

• The actress playing the role of a teenage girl on screen was actually in her late thirties, which made the audience feel like they were watching Mutton dressed as a Lamb. The uncomfortable discrepancy between her outward appearance and her inner age was distracting and detracted from the overall believability of the scene.

  This example mirrors the previous one in that it uses the idiom to illustrate a difference between someone's outward appearance and their true nature. In this case, the actress's attempt to portray a much younger character was unconvincing and felt artificial, likening her to "Mutton dressed as a Lamb". This expression highlights the fact that such an attempt can be jarring, and can negatively impact the experience for the audience.

• The country singer tried to appeal to a younger demographic by starting his performance with a cover of a popular rap hit, but his attempts at "mutton dressed as a lamb" behavior didn't land. The audience appreciated the artist's effort to broaden his appeal, but it was clear that the disconnect between the singer's roots and the rap song left them feeling disconnected and uncomfortable.

  This example showcases the idiom in a unique context, as the expression is traditionally used more frequently in the context of social interactions or appearances. This example demonstrates how the phrase can be applied in a more performance-based context, where an attempt to appeal to a new audience in an overtly forced or artificial way is compared to "Mutton dressed as a Lamb". In this case, the idiom is being used to convey the idea that the singer's unfamiliarity and discomfort with the style led to a perceived awkwardness, taking him further from the intended goal of endearing himself to the audience.

• The middle-aged man tried to pass off his out-of-date fashion sense as a trendy style, but he ended up looking like mutton dressed as lamb.

  This example uses the idiom "mutton dressed as lamb" to describe a situation where someone tries to appear younger or more youthful than they actually are, but ends up looking awkward or ridiculous because their attempts are not convincing. In this case, the middle-aged man's outdated fashion sense, which might be more appropriate for someone much older, makes him look like an old piece of meat dressed up to look like a young lamb. This expression highlights the contrast between the person's true age and the way they are trying to present themselves.

• The politician, who had already been in office for several terms, suddenly tried to act like a brand-new candidate, but his efforts came off as mutton dressed as lamb.

  In this example, the politician's attempt to revive his image by acting like a fresh candidate is compared to a silly situation in which mutton is dressed up to look like lamb. This comparison highlights the absurdity of the politician's attempt to hide his true age and experience level in order to win over voters who might prefer a newer, less experienced candidate.

• She wore a mini-skirt and go-go boots, but at her age, she looked more like mutton dressed as lamb.

  Similarly to the previous examples, this example uses the mutton dressed as lamb idiom to critique someone's attempt to appear younger than they actually are. Here, the woman's fashion choices, which might be more appropriate for someone much younger, make her look ridiculous and out of place. The phrase "mutton dressed as lamb" underscores the idea that she is trying to pass herself off as something she's not, and that this effort is ultimately unconvincing and even comical.

• My grandma thinks she's as hip as a teenager, but in reality, she's just mutton dressed as lamb.

  Finally, this last example expands on the previous three by using the mutton dressed as lamb idiom to criticize a person's attempt to appear trendy or cool when they are actually much older than their chosen lifestyle might suggest. The expression, in this instance, emphasizes the absurdity of the grandma's efforts to maintain her youthful persona, as the idiom "mutton dressed as lamb" suggests that she is hopelessly out of place in a world that caters to younger, more fashion-forward people. By comparing her to mutton dressed as lamb, this example underlines the idea that she is trying too hard to be something she's not and that her efforts are distractingly unusual.

Conclusion

The idiom "mutton dressed as lamb" is used to discourage someone from engaging in a particular activity or to criticize someone's appearance or behavior. It is often used to caution against pursuing something that will not result in any positive outcome or benefit, and also to comment on someone who is trying to appear younger or more attractive than they actually are, often in a negative or disapproving way.

Origin of "Mutton dressed as lamb"

The origin of the idiom "mutton dressed as lamb" can be traced back to the 17th century in England. In those times, mutton was a term used to refer to the meat of an older sheep, which was considered to be of lower quality and less desirable than lamb, the meat of a younger sheep. The idiom likely originated from the practice of trying to pass off the inferior mutton as the more desirable lamb.

Over time, the idiom evolved to take on a figurative meaning, referring to someone who is trying to appear younger or more attractive than they actually are, much like trying to pass off mutton as lamb. The idiom has since become a popular way to discourage someone from engaging in a particular activity or to criticize someone's appearance or behavior.