fleas in a lion

Posted by Jose Carlos on January 03, 2005

Hi everyone:

A curious expression in Portuguese: "catar pulgas num leão". Literally: to search for fleas in a lion. The usual meaning is to look for shortcomings in great personages in order to obscure their qualities. Like saying that Montaigne was homosexual, Andersen a pederast, and Shakespeare a miser. What is the closest expression in English?

Thanks

JC

• Re: Fleas in a lion David FG 03/January/05
• Re: Feet of clay ESC 03/January/05
  • Re: Feet of clay Fred 03/January/05
    • Re: Feet of clay Smokey Stover 04/January/05
      • Changing times Henry 04/January/05
        • Re: Changing times Smokey Stover 04/January/05