PhrasesHub

To gild refined gold, to paint the lily

    Definitions

      • discourage someone
        Advise against engaging in a particular activity or task, cautioning that it will not result in any positive outcome or benefit

      • unnecessary embellishment
        Describe adding unnecessary adornment or enhancement to something that is already perfect or beautiful

    Examples of To gild refined gold, to paint the lily

    • Alice spent hours trying to perfect her already stunning dress, adding ornate embroidery and sequins in an attempt to "gild refined gold".

      The phrase "to gild refined gold" refers to the act of adding something extravagant or unnecessary to an item that is already of excellent quality or value. In this example, Alice is taking an already beautiful dress and adding intricate details that are not strictly necessary, in order to make it even more impressive.

    • The artist spent countless hours meticulously painting every petal of the flower, making each one as intricate and detailed as possible, as though trying to "paint the lily".

      The phrase "to paint the lily" is a metaphorical expression for adding more to something than is necessary, making it unnecessarily elaborate or complex. In this example, the artist is applying so much detail and effort to the painting of a simple flower that they seem to be attempting to add something that is already inherently beautiful and perfect.

    • The politician, eager to secure his victory, began making extravagant promises, proposing solutions to problems that had already been solved, as though trying to "gild refined gold" or "paint the lily" in order to maintain his position.

      In this example, the phrase "to gild refined gold" or "to paint the lily" is used metaphorically to describe the act of making empty promises or proposing unnecessary solutions as a way of attempting to impress or sway voters. The idea is that just as gilding refined gold or painting the lily is unnecessary and creates a false impression, so too are extravagant promises or unnecessary solutions that only serve to deceive or mislead people.

    • The writer, struggling to come up with a new and original idea, began reworking and embellishing an existing concept, adding superfluous details and elaborate explanations in an attempt to "gild refined gold" or "paint the lily".

      Here, the phrase "to gild refined gold" or "to paint the lily" is used metaphorically to describe the act of overcomplicating or embellishing an existing idea in an attempt to make it seem more impressive or original. The writer is adding details and explanations that are not strictly necessary, in order to make the idea seem more complex and sophisticated than it actually is.

    • The luxurious hotel already boasted of top-notch amenities and world-class services, but the management decided to gild refined gold by adding a spa and a rooftop pool to attract more high-end clients.

      This idiom highlights the fact that trying to improve something that is already perfect results in excessive and unnecessary efforts that may further improve the existing situation. In the example provided, the hotel already had excellent amenities and services, but the management decided to go above and beyond by adding a spa and a rooftop pool to make it more appealing to high-end clients. However, given that the hotel was already renowned for its luxurious facilities, adding these extra features was perhaps an unnecessary expense.

    • The famous author had already written numerous bestsellers, but the publishing house urged her to paint the lily by adding more decorative phrases and descriptive language to her writing.

      This idiom suggests that attempting to add more detail to something that is already beautiful and perfect results in excessive and extravagant efforts that may not be necessary. In this example, the author was already an incredibly talented writer with a list of successful novels under her belt. However, the publishing house thought that adding more descriptive language and detailed phrases to her writing could make it even more appealing to readers. This may result in a final product that is overly ornate and perhaps less enjoyable to read.

    • The renowned scientist had already discovered a groundbreaking cure for a rare disease, but his colleagues urged him to gild refined gold by presenting his findings in a more visually appealing and artistic manner.

      This idiom emphasizes the fact that trying to enhance something that is already exceptional results in unnecessary and extravagant efforts that may not be required. In this case, the scientist had already made a significant contribution to medicine by discovering a cure for a rare disease. However, his colleagues suggested that presenting his findings in a more artistic and visually appealing manner could further enhance their value and impact. This may result in an unnecessary and perhaps self-indulgent pursuit of perfection.

    • The student had already achieved an excellent grade in the exam, but his teachers encouraged him to paint the lily by adding more colorful and poetic language to his answers.

      This idiom highlights the fact that trying to add more flair to something that is already exemplary results in unnecessary and uncalled-for efforts that may not be beneficial. In the given example, the student had already scored a high grade in the exam. However, his teachers encouraged him to add more colorful and poetic language to his answers to make them more attractive and appealing. While this may not be detrimental to the student's academic performance, it could potentially lead to a loss of focus and excessively ornate writing.


    Conclusion

    The idiom "to gild refined gold, to paint the lily" is used to discourage someone from engaging in an activity that is deemed unnecessary or to caution against adding unnecessary embellishments to something that is already perfect. It emphasizes the idea of not overdoing or overcomplicating things and suggests that simplicity and authenticity are often better than excessive adornment.

    Origin of "To gild refined gold, to paint the lily"

    The idiom "to gild refined gold, to paint the lily" originates from William Shakespeare's play "King John," in which the character King John uses the phrase to express the idea of unnecessary embellishment. The idiom has since become a popular saying that is used to caution against adding unnecessary adornments or enhancements to something that is already perfect. It emphasizes the concept of simplicity and authenticity and has been used in various contexts to discourage excessive or unnecessary actions. The origins of the idiom highlight its timeless relevance and its enduring use in the English language.