What does “To be born with a silver spoon in one’s mouth.” mean?
"To be born with a silver spoon in one’s mouth" means to be born into a wealthy or privileged family.
What context can I use the in?
Example
He never had to work a day in his life. To be born with a silver spoon in one’s mouth.
Example
She grew up in a mansion and attended private schools. To be born with a silver spoon in one’s mouth.
Example
His family owns multiple luxury cars and vacation homes. *To be born with a silver spoon in one’s mouth.
Is “To be born with a silver spoon in one’s mouth.” an expression, an idiom, or a proverb?
“To be born with a silver spoon in one’s mouth.” 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 “To be born with a silver spoon in one’s mouth.” effectively in context?
You can use "To be born with a silver spoon in one's mouth" to describe someone who is born into a wealthy or privileged family. It emphasizes that the person has never had to worry about financial struggles or work hard for their lifestyle. For example, if you meet someone who has never had to work a day in their life, you might say, 'They were born with a silver spoon in their mouth.'
- 1Wealth and Privilege
He never had to work a day in his life. To be born with a silver spoon in one's mouth.
- 2Luxurious Upbringing
She always had the best of everything growing up. To be born with a silver spoon in one's mouth.
- 3Financial Security
They never had to worry about money or financial struggles. To be born with a silver spoon in one's mouth.
Similar phrases to “To be born with a silver spoon in one’s mouth.”:
Inherited wealth
To receive wealth or assets from one's family
Example
They lived off their inherited wealth and never had to work.
Good things to know:
Where does the phrase “To be born with a silver spoon in one’s mouth.” come from?
The origin of the phrase "To be born with a silver spoon in one's mouth" is unknown.
Is “To be born with a silver spoon in one’s mouth.” common in everyday conversation?
Yes, "To be born with a silver spoon in one's mouth" is a common proverb used in everyday conversation. It is often used to describe someone's privileged background or to highlight the stark contrast between their life and the lives of others who have had to work hard for their success.
What tone does “To be born with a silver spoon in one’s mouth.” have?
"To be born with a silver spoon in one's mouth" conveys a tone of envy or criticism. It is often used to express resentment towards those who have been fortunate enough to have a privileged upbringing without having to face the challenges and hardships that others may have experienced.
Can “To be born with a silver spoon in one’s mouth.” be used in informal and formal settings?
Yes, "To be born with a silver spoon in one's mouth" can be used in both informal and formal settings. It is a well-known proverb that conveys the idea of wealth and privilege. You can use it in everyday conversations with friends, family, and colleagues, as well as in more formal situations such as presentations, meetings, or professional writing.
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, 'He was born with a silver spoon in his mouth.' However, in informal conversations, people might understand the proverb even if used alone, like saying 'Must be nice to be "born with a silver spoon in one's mouth"' to express envy or sarcasm.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms
- privileged upbringing
- fortunate circumstances
- wealthy background
- lavish lifestyle
- affluent family
Antonyms
- rags to riches
- self-made
- started from the bottom
- worked their way up
- came from nothing
