| idiom. |
a person whose goodness or other positive qualities are hidden by a harsh or unremarkable surface appearance (The auto mechanic is a diamond in the rough, tough-talking, but honest, even generous.  wiktionary.org); someone or something that has hidden exceptional characteristics and/or future potential, but currently lacks the final touches that would make them or it truly stand out from the crowd (The phrase is metaphorical and relates to the fact that naturally occurring diamonds are quite ordinary at first glance, and that their true beauty as jewels is only realized through the cutting and polishing process: She may seem shy and ordinary right now, but give her a couple more years - she truly is a diamond in the rough. urbandictionary.com); a person who is kinder and more pleasant than they seem to be from their appearance and manner (cambridge.org) |
