Definition & Meaning of "[make] a pig's ear of {sth}"

What is the origin of the idiom "make a pig's ear of something" and when to use it?

The idiom "make a pig's ear of something" is believed to have originated in the UK, where a pig's ear is a cheap and unappetizing cut of meat. The phrase is often used in a humorous or lighthearted way to describe situations where someone has made a mistake or failed to do something properly.