gild the lily

Friendly

Word: Gild the lily

Definition: The phrase "gild the lily" means to make unnecessary additions to something that is already beautiful or perfect. It suggests that you are trying to improve something that does not need improvement, often leading to an over-the-top or excessive situation.

Usage Instructions:

• This phrase is usually used in a negative context, implying that someone is making things worse by trying to add more when it is not needed.
• It is often used in conversation or writing when discussing art, beauty, or any situation where someone tries too hard to enhance something that is already good.

Example:

• "The painting was already stunning, but when the artist added more colors and details, it seemed like he was gilding the lily."

Advanced Usage:

• In a more sophisticated context, you might see this phrase used in literature or critical reviews, where someone is critiquing a piece of work for being overly embellished or unnecessarily complicated.

Word Variants:

• There are no direct variations of "gild the lily," but you might encounter similar phrases that convey a related meaning, such as "overdo it" or "over embellish."

Different Meanings:

• While "gild the lily" primarily refers to adding unnecessary beauty, in some contexts, it can also imply making something more complex than it needs to be.

Synonyms:

• Overdo
• Over embellish
• Enhance unnecessarily
• Add unnecessary flourishes

Idioms and Phrasal Verbs:

• Add insult to injury: This means to make a bad situation worse, similar to how gilding the lily can ruin the original beauty.
• Dress it up: This can mean to make something appear better than it is, which is another way of adding unnecessary embellishments.

Summary:

"Gild the lily" warns against the act of trying to improve something that is already good.

Academic

Verb

1. make unnecessary additions to what is already complete
2. adorn unnecessarily (something that is already beautiful)

Synonyms

• paint the lily