Definition
This idiom comes from a Daoist alchemy legend about touching a stone and turning it into gold. Figuratively, it means to take something ordinary or inferior and dramatically improve it — especially used for writing, art, or skills. You can use it to praise someone who transforms a crude draft into a brilliant piece or turns a mediocre effort into an outstanding result.
idiom
to turn something ordinary or inferior into something excellent (of writing, art, skills)
Examples
- 点石成金，。Tā xiūgǎi hòu de wénzhāng jiǎnzhí jiùshì diǎn shí chéng jīn, cóng píngdàn biàn chéng le jīngdiǎn.The article he revised is simply turning stone into gold — it went from bland to classic.
- 点石成金，。Zhè wèi lǎoshī shànyú diǎn shí chéng jīn, néng bǎ zuì pǔtōng de xuéshēng jiào chéng yōuxiù de réncái.This teacher is skilled at turning stone into gold — able to teach even the most ordinary students into outstanding talents.
- ，，点石成金。Jīngguò tā de gǎizào, nà jiā lǎo diàn huànrán yì xīn, zhēnshì diǎn shí chéng jīn.After his renovation, that old shop took on a completely new look — truly turning stone into gold.
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