How to Pronounce "you can't polish a turd"
expression
YOO KANT PAH-lish uh TURD
YOO KAHNT POL-lish uh TERD
Definition
This expression means you can't make something bad or worthless look truly good, no matter how much you try to improve its appearance.
IPA Transcription
American English
ˈju/ /ˈkænt/ /ˈpɑɫɪʃ/, /ˈpoʊɫɪʃ/ /ˈeɪ/, /ə/ /tɜːd
British English
jˈuː/ /kɑːnt/ /ˈpɒlɪʃ/ /æɪ/ /tˈɜːd
Simplified Pronunciation
US
YOO KANT PAH-lish uh TURD
UK
YOO KAHNT POL-lish uh TERD
Listen in Context
No matter how much you try, you can't polish a turd.
He thinks adding decorations will help, but you can't polish a turd.
Some projects are just doomed—you can't polish a turd.
Honestly, the product design is terrible—you can't polish a turd.