PhrasesHub

Separate the sheep from the goats

    Definitions

      • to distinguish between the good and the bad or the valuable and the worthless
        to separate or distinguish between two groups or types of people or things, often to identify the better or more valuable ones

    Examples of Separate the sheep from the goats

    • In order to promote our company's products to the right audience, we need to separate the sheep from the goats in our marketing campaign. This means identifying our ideal customers and targeting them specifically, rather than casting a wide net and hoping for the best. By doing so, we can ensure that our resources are being used effectively and efficiently.

      The idiom "separate the sheep from the goats" is often used in a business or work context to describe the process of distinguishing between people or things that are valuable or desirable from those that are not. In this example, the "sheep" represent the valuable or desirable customers, while the "goats" represent those who are less valuable or less desirable. By separating the "sheep" from the "goats," we can focus our efforts and resources on the most promising opportunities, rather than wasting time and money on less productive avenues. In a marketing context, this might involve using customer data and analytics to identify our most profitable customer segments, as well as understanding what factors make those customers more valuable than others. By doing so, we can create targeted marketing campaigns that are more likely to generate a positive return on investment.

    • The new manager decided to separate the top-performing employees from the underperforming ones during the annual performance review.

      This idiom is used to describe the process of distinguishing between the most valued and productive individuals, or "sheep" in a group, from those who may not be meeting expectations, or "goats."

    • The recruiter's job was to sift through the hundreds of resumes to separate the qualified candidates from the ones who didn't meet the job requirements.

      This example shows that the idiom can be used in a variety of contexts, such as hiring and job selection, where the goal is to identify the best possible candidates for a specific role or position.

    • The coach knew that the team needed to separate the leaders from the followers if they wanted to win the tournament.

      This idiom can also be used in athletic or competitive settings to describe the importance of identifying and developing the most talented and motivated players, who will drive the team to success.

    • The lottery winner was amazed as she watched the authorities separate the authentic ticket from the many fake ones that turned up after the drawing.

      Here, the idiom is used to illustrate the importance of distinguishing between genuine and fraudulent items, such as lottery tickets, documents, or currency.


    Conclusion

    The idiom "separate the sheep from the goats" is used to describe the act of distinguishing between two groups or types of people or things, with the intention of identifying the better or more valuable ones. It is often used to emphasize the process of separating the good from the bad or the valuable from the worthless.

    This idiom can be used in various contexts, such as in personal relationships, business decisions, or any situation where a clear distinction needs to be made between different options or choices. It is often used to highlight the importance of discernment and making wise judgments.

    Origin of "Separate the sheep from the goats"

    The origin of the idiom "separate the sheep from the goats" can be traced back to biblical references, particularly in the New Testament. In the Gospel of Matthew, there is a parable about the final judgment where Jesus separates the righteous (sheep) from the unrighteous (goats). This parable has been interpreted as a metaphor for separating the good from the bad or the righteous from the unrighteous.

    The idiom has since been used in various literary works and everyday language to convey the idea of making a clear distinction between different types of people or things. It has become a common expression to emphasize the importance of discerning between the good and the bad, the valuable and the worthless.