lily (redirected from Lilied)

gild the lily

Fig. to add ornament or decoration to something that is pleasing in its original state; to attempt to improve something that is already fine the way it is. (Often refers to flattery or exaggeration.) Your house has lovely brickwork. Don't paint it. That would be gilding the lily. Oh, Sally. You're beautiful the way you are. You don't need makeup. You would be gilding the lily.

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gild the lily

to spoil something by trying to improve or decorate it when it is already perfect

Usage notes: To gild something is to cover it with a thin layer of gold. A lily is a beautiful white flower. To gild a lily would not be necessary.

Should I add a scarf to this jacket or would it be gilding the lily?

lily-livered  (literary)

not brave I've never seen such a lily-livered bunch of wimps in my life!

lily-white 

1. (British, American & Australian) completely white in colour He marvelled at her lily-white hands.

2. (American & Australian) completely honest (often negative) He's not exactly lily-white himself, so he has some nerve calling her a cheat!

3. (American & Australian) having only white people near, often because of a wish to keep black people away The black family found it difficult to feel comfortable in this lily-white, prosperous suburb.