an embarrassment of riches

an embarrassment of riches

Too much or more than enough of a desired or needed thing. There are so many stellar applicants for the job that we can't choose between them—it's truly an embarrassment of riches.

See also: embarrassment, of, riches

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2015 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

embarrassment of riches

An overabundance of something, too much of a good thing, as in All four of them have their own cars but there's no room in the driveway-an embarrassment of riches . This term originated in 1738 as John Ozell's translation of a French play, L'Embarras des richesses (1726).

See also: embarrassment, of, riches

The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer. Copyright © 2003, 1997 by The Christine Ammer 1992 Trust. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

an embarrassment of riches

LITERARY

If you have an embarrassment of riches, you have so many good things or options that you cannot decide which to have or do. With three matches being screened live simultaneously, football fans have an embarrassment of riches to choose from.

See also: embarrassment, of, riches

Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed. © HarperCollins Publishers 2012

an emˌbarrassment of ˈriches

so many good things that it is difficult to choose just one: Stratford has an embarrassment of riches, what with three theatres and lovely countryside too.

See also: embarrassment, of, riches

Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017

embarrassment of riches, an

Too much of a good thing, an overabundance. The term is a direct translation from the French, where it first appeared as the title of a comedy by the Abbé Léonor d’Allainval, L’embarras des richesses (1726), translated into English by John Ozell and opening in London in 1738.

See also: embarrassment, of

The Dictionary of Clichés by Christine Ammer Copyright © 2013 by Christine Ammer