Diamond in the Rough?

Question

When people say Diamond in the rough what do they mean?

Answer 1

It means your true talent hasn't been revealed. Basically you have great potential but you haven't reached it. It's used a lot in sports, for example to say some high school basketball player who plays a lot of streetball. You would say he's a diamond in the rough because he still hasn't fully realized his potential, but has great potential.

Answer 2

It means that the person or object to which they refer has the potential to shine, but needs work to bring out their or its luster.