gold

All that glistens/glitters is not gold. (British, American & Australian, British, literary)

something that you say to warn someone that sometimes people or things that appear attractive have no real value. This film has an all-star cast, but all that glisters is not gold. It fails because of its weak story.

See also: all, that

be as good as gold

if a child is as good as gold, they behave very well. The children were as good as gold today.

See also: good

be worth its/your weight in gold

to be extremely useful or valuable. A book that could tell me in simple language how to use this computer would be worth its weight in gold. Really good experienced singers are worth their weight in gold to the choir.

See also: weight, worth

a gold digger (old-fashioned)

a woman who has relationships with rich men so that they will give her money. I'm not saying she's a gold digger, but how come all her boyfriends have been rich?

have a heart of gold

to be extremely kind and helpful. She'll do anything for anyone - she's got a heart of gold.

See also: heart

like gold dust (British & Australian, American)

if things or people are like gold dust, they are difficult to get because a lot of people want them. Tickets for the Oasis concert were like gold dust. We were really lucky to get them. Skilled workers are like gold in the engineering industry.

See also: dust, like

strike gold (informal)

1. to become rich. Some investors have struck gold investing in airlines.

2. to win a gold medal (= a round piece of metal given as a prize) in a sports competition. Not since the 1964 Olympics, when Ann Packer and Mary Rand struck gold have women's expectations been so high.

See also: strike

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a heart of gold

a kind and generous character. He plays the part of a tough cop with a heart of gold.

a heart of stone

See also: heart

strike gold

1. to become rich, happy, or successful. The actor has struck gold with his latest movie.

2. to win a sports competition. She expects to strike gold in the world championship.

Etymology: based on the literal meaning of strike gold (= to find gold in the ground)

See also: strike

worth your/its weight in gold

extremely useful or valuable. User-friendly software is worth its weight in gold. Experienced singers are worth their weight in gold because they bring strength to the choir.

Etymology: based on the idea that gold is the most valuable metal

See also: weight, worth