Sort out/separate the sheep from the goats
verb phrase
To separate or distinguish between two groups or types of people or things.
When applying for a job, the interviews help to sort out the sheep from the goats.
Often appears as...
- sort out the sheep from the goats in a group
- the interview process sorts out the sheep from the goats
Usage tips
Formal
Idiomatic
verb phrase
To separate or distinguish between two groups or types of people or things.
When applying for a job, the interviews help to sort out the sheep from the goats.
Often appears as...
- sort out the sheep from the goats in a group
- the interview process sorts out the sheep from the goats
Usage tips
Formal
Idiomatic
Definition 1 of 1
Pro Tip 1/3Biblical Origin
The phrase has a biblical origin, referring to judgement, where 'sheep' represent the righteous and 'goats' the less desirable.
At the charity audition, they needed to sort out the sheep from the goats to find committed volunteers.
Pro Tip 2/3Metaphoric Meaning
Used metaphorically, it doesn't involve real sheep or goats. It's about judging the quality or suitability of people or things.
The quiz competition will sort out the sheep from the goats among the students.
Pro Tip 3/3Common Confusions
Avoid confusing this phrase with literal animal sorting. In speech, emphasis on 'sort out' clarifies you mean figuratively.
It can be a challenge to sort out the sheep from the goats when looking at online reviews.
Pro Tip 1/3Biblical Origin
The phrase has a biblical origin, referring to judgement, where 'sheep' represent the righteous and 'goats' the less desirable.
At the charity audition, they needed to sort out the sheep from the goats to find committed volunteers.
Pro Tip 2/3Metaphoric Meaning
Used metaphorically, it doesn't involve real sheep or goats. It's about judging the quality or suitability of people or things.
The quiz competition will sort out the sheep from the goats among the students.
Pro Tip 3/3Common Confusions
Avoid confusing this phrase with literal animal sorting. In speech, emphasis on 'sort out' clarifies you mean figuratively.
It can be a challenge to sort out the sheep from the goats when looking at online reviews.
Pro Tip 1/3Biblical Origin
The phrase has a biblical origin, referring to judgement, where 'sheep' represent the righteous and 'goats' the less desirable.
At the charity audition, they needed to sort out the sheep from the goats to find committed volunteers.
Pro Tip 2/3Metaphoric Meaning
Used metaphorically, it doesn't involve real sheep or goats. It's about judging the quality or suitability of people or things.
The quiz competition will sort out the sheep from the goats among the students.
Pro Tip 3/3Common Confusions
Avoid confusing this phrase with literal animal sorting. In speech, emphasis on 'sort out' clarifies you mean figuratively.
It can be a challenge to sort out the sheep from the goats when looking at online reviews.
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