Meaning of the word "you can put lipstick on a pig, but it's still a pig" in English
What does "you can put lipstick on a pig, but it's still a pig" mean in English? Explore the meaning, pronunciation, and specific usage of this word with Lingoland.
you can put lipstick on a pig, but it's still a pig
US /ju kæn pʊt ˈlɪp.stɪk ɑn ə pɪɡ bʌt ɪts stɪl ə pɪɡ/
UK /ju kæn pʊt ˈlɪp.stɪk ɒn ə pɪɡ bʌt ɪts stɪl ə pɪɡ/
Idiom
making superficial changes to something does not change its underlying nature or quality
Example:
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The company tried to rebrand their failing product, but you can put lipstick on a pig, but it's still a pig.
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Adding a new coat of paint to this crumbling house is useless; you can put lipstick on a pig, but it's still a pig.