separate the sheep from the goats

The phrase "separate the sheep from the goats" is an idiomatic expression that originated from the biblical passage in Matthew 25:31-46. It refers to the act of distinguishing between two groups or individuals, separating the righteous or deserving from the wicked or undeserving. In a broader sense, it implies a process of discernment or making clear distinctions between different categories or qualities. It often appears in contexts where there is a need to evaluate or judge people, things, or situations, separating the good from the bad or the valuable from the worthless.