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Old 14-Feb-2008, 10:52
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Question separate the weak from the chafed

Could you tell me the meaning of "separating the weak from the chafed"?
I found this phrase used like a metaphor, not as a literal meaning.
In what context do you use this phrase?

Thank you in advance,

Gonta
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Old 14-Feb-2008, 12:50
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Default Re: separate the weak from the chafed

You misheard it.

Separate the wheat from the chaff - UsingEnglish.com
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Old 14-Feb-2008, 12:57
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Default Re: separate the weak from the chafed

Hi Tdol,

Thank you!!!!!!

Gonta
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Old 15-Feb-2008, 07:25
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Default Re: separate the weak from the chafed

You're welcome- 'chaff' is not an everyday word, so your guess was pretty good.
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Old 15-Feb-2008, 08:56
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Default Re: separate the weak from the chafed

Quote:
Originally Posted by Tdol View Post
...Or maybe it was a deliberate pun. Some newspapers, for example, are very fond of this sort of word-play. For example, the idiom 'no stone unturned' has appeared in various contexts as 'no stern untoned' (a reference to health farms/massage) and 'no turn unstoned' (a book about hostile theatre reviews).

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Old 15-Feb-2008, 10:06
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Default Re: separate the weak from the chafed

Hi BobK,

'no stone unturned' 'no stern untoned' and 'no turn unstoned'...???
Wow, that's complicated but interesting!!

I found the phrase in an interview and I listend to this part again and again, and he does pronounce "wheat" and "chaff". The meaning also matches to the context of his speech, so now it is clear.

Thank you

Gonta
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