What does “Gild the lily” mean?
"Gild the lily" means to add unnecessary decoration or embellishment to something that is already beautiful or perfect.
What context can I use the in?
Example
The cake was already delicious, but she couldn't resist gilding the lily with edible gold leaf.
Example
The painting was stunning on its own, but the artist decided to gild the lily by adding intricate details to every corner.
Example
The garden was already breathtaking, but the owner couldn't help gilding the lily by planting rare and exotic flowers
Is “Gild the lily” an expression, an idiom, or a proverb?
“Gild the lily” is a proverb. A proverb is a short saying that teaches us something important or gives us advice. Unlike an idiom, it’s easy to understand even if it uses figurative language.
How would I use “Gild the lily” effectively in context?
You can use "Gild the Lily" to express the idea of adding unnecessary embellishments to something that is already perfect or beautiful. It often carries a negative connotation, suggesting that the additional decoration is excessive or unnecessary. For example, if someone is already wearing an elegant outfit but decides to add more accessories, you might say, 'She really gilded the lily with all those jewelry pieces.'
- 1Food
The cake was already delicious, but she couldn't resist gilding the lily with edible gold leaf.
- 2Art
The painting was stunning on its own, but the artist decided to gild the lily by adding intricate details to every corner.
- 3Gardening
The garden was already breathtaking, but the owner couldn't help gilding the lily by planting rare and exotic flowers.
Similar phrases to “Gild the lily”:
Excessive or unnecessary use or addition of something
Example
The extravagant centerpiece was an overkill for a simple dinner party.
Glam up
To add excessive or unnecessary glamour or decoration to something
Example
She decided to glam up her outfit with sparkly accessories.
Good things to know:
Where does the phrase “Gild the lily” come from?
The origin of the phrase "Gild the Lily" is from Shakespeare's play 'King John.' In Act IV, Scene II, the character King John says, 'To gild refined gold, to paint the lily... is wasteful and ridiculous excess.' The phrase has since been used to describe the act of adding unnecessary decoration or embellishment to something that is already beautiful or perfect.
Is “Gild the lily” common in everyday conversation?
While "Gild the Lily" is not as commonly used as some other idioms, it is still recognizable and understood by native English speakers. It may be more frequently used in formal or literary contexts.
What tone does “Gild the lily” have?
"Gild the Lily" conveys a tone of criticism or disapproval. It suggests that the act of adding unnecessary decoration is excessive or wasteful.
Can “Gild the lily” be used in informal and formal settings?
"Gild the Lily" is generally considered a formal expression. It is more likely to be used in written communication, such as essays, articles, or formal speeches. However, it can also be used in informal conversations when discussing topics related to art, design, or aesthetics.
Can it be used by itself, or is it usually part of a sentence?
It is commonly used as part of a sentence to convey its full meaning. For example, 'She couldn't resist gilding the lily by adding unnecessary decorations.' However, in informal conversations, people might understand the phrase even if used alone, like saying 'She really "gilded the lily"!' to imply that someone went overboard with embellishments.
