golden

(a) golden opportunity

Fig. an excellent opportunity that is not likely to be repeated. When I failed to finish college, I missed my golden opportunity to prepare myself for a good job.

See also: opportunity

A golden key can open any door.

Prov. Sufficient money can accomplish anything. Jill: I'm amazed that Sally got into a good university; her grades were so poor. Jane: Well, she comes from a wealthy family, and a golden key can open any door. Jane: How did Fred manage to get invited to the party at the country club? It's so exclusive there. Alan: Yes, but a golden key can open any door.

See also: any, can, door, key, open

Kill the goose that lays the golden egg(s).

Prov. To destroy something that is profitable to you. Fred's wife knew he wasn't happy in his job, even though it paid well; still, she felt that advising him to leave it would be killing the goose that laid the golden eggs.

See also: egg, goose, kill, lay

Silence is golden.

Prov. Silence is often good or desirable. Jerry has two teenage children who listen to music using their headphones all day. He knows that silence is golden. Hush! Silence is golden.

See also: silence

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a golden boy/girl

someone who is successful and admired (often + of ) Henman is the golden boy of British tennis this season.

See also: boy

a golden handshake

a large sum of money which is given to someone when they leave a company, especially if they are forced to leave The manager got early retirement and a £600,000 golden handshake when the company was restructured.

a golden oldie

a record that was very popular in the past and that people still know and like today I listen to the Sunday morning show when they play all the golden oldies.

a golden parachute

if an important manager in a company has a golden parachute, the company agrees to give them a very large sum of money if they lose their job He insisted on a substantial golden parachute as part of the package before taking up the post.

golden handcuffs

financial arrangements given by a company to an important employee in order to influence them to stay with the company Share options are offered to top executives as golden handcuffs.

kill the goose that lays the golden egg

to destroy something that makes a lot of money If you sell your shares now, you could be killing the goose that lays the golden egg.

See also: egg, goose, kill, lay