gild the lily
Say it: gild the LIL-ee /ˌɡɪld ðə ˈlɪli/ · idiom
What “gild the lily” means
Spoil something good by adding more than it needs.
More precisely: To spoil something already good by adding unnecessary decoration or improvement.
When to use it
When an unnecessary extra risks spoiling something already lovely. A slightly literary phrase, often used as gentle criticism.
Similar words
overdo it, over-egg the pudding, overembellish
Where it comes from
A misquotation of Shakespeare's King John: 'to gild refined gold, to paint the lily'.
Quick check
A simple cake looks beautiful, but someone piles on clashing decorations until it looks worse. Which phrase fits?
gild the lily or add the finishing touch?
Show the answer
gild the lily
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