Put lipstick on a pig

[canadalynx]

Hello.

I found this expression 'Put lipstick on a pig' in one of the online dictionaries.
I was wondering if it is commonly used in AmE. How about BrE?
Is this an informal expression to mean 'palliative'?

 

[GoesStation]

No. Didn't the dictionary provide a definition?

 

[canadalynx]

I saw the definition but I would like to know about the usage.
A) Is it true that it is primarily used in AmE as I noticed the expression in many American contexts.
B) Is it used only in speaking? informal or formal register?

Let's say if I want to stretch it, can I use it in the following case?

"Ella will never be enough for his family as they consider her to be from the wrong side of the tracks.
You can embellish her with the finest clothes and jewelry, but that will only put lipstick on a pig.
She will never live up to their expectations."

 

[probus]

A) Yes. It's one of my personal favourites.

B).No. Feel free to use it in writing. But you are correct that it is informal, so find another expression if the context is formal.

 

[emsr2d2]

Please remember to put the words/phrases you're asking us about in the main body of your post, not just in your title.

 

[Charlie Bernstein]

Hello.

I found the expression 'Put lipstick on a pig' in one of the online dictionaries.

[Put spaces between paragraphs.]

I was wondering if it is commonly used in AmE.

Yes, it is.

How about BrE?

I don't know.

Is this an informal expression meaning 'palliative'?

No. Absolutely not. Did you look up the definition?

Google swill tell you what it means.

 

[Charlie Bernstein]

I saw the definition, but I would like to know about the usage.

A) Is it true that it is primarily used in AmE? I noticed the expression in many American contexts.

B) Is it used only in speaking? Informal or formal register?

You can say it and write it, of course. It's informal.

Let's say if I want to use it. Can I use it in the following case?:

"Ella will never be good enough for his family, as they consider her to be from the wrong side of the tracks. You can dress her up in the finest clothes and jewelry, but that will only be putting lipstick on a pig. She will never live up to their expectations."

We don't usually use it that literally. It's used more figuratively than that.

Calling a fistfight a lively debate is putting lipstick on a pig.

Painting a house that is falling down is putting lipstick on a pig.

Serving bad food in fancy dishes is putting lipstick on a pig.

 

[GoesStation]

Okay.

By the way, I know the expression 'be good enough for something/someone'.
Do you think 'be enough for' is incorrect? Is it not understandable that it is a variation of the expression?
In the film "Crazy Rich Asian (2018)", there is a scene where Michelle Yeoh says "You will never be enough."
Is it deemed acceptable because

a) it is used in speaking?
b) it is used in direct speech to a person/entity.
c) there is no 'for' after the phrase in the sentence.
d) it is Singaporean English?
e) it has a different meaning?

Please open a new thread for your unrelated question.