What is the meaning of separate sheep and goat in idiomatic expression?

The idiom "separate the sheep from the goats" is a biblical reference that has evolved to mean distinguishing between the good and the bad, the worthy and the unworthy, or the righteous and the wicked.

Here's the breakdown:

* Biblical Origin: This idiom comes from the Gospel of Matthew (25:31-46), where Jesus describes the final judgment. He will separate people into two groups: those on his right, the sheep, who are righteous and enter eternal life, and those on his left, the goats, who are wicked and are condemned to eternal punishment.

* Modern Meaning: The idiom is used figuratively to describe any process of separating or classifying people or things based on their qualities or worth. It often suggests a process of judging or evaluating.

Examples:

* "The company's new CEO is trying to separate the sheep from the goats by identifying and promoting top performers."

* "This training program is designed to separate the sheep from the goats and identify the most promising candidates for leadership roles."

* "It's time to separate the sheep from the goats and hold those responsible for this misconduct accountable."

The idiom emphasizes the importance of making distinctions and judging fairly, even if it involves difficult decisions.