golden fleece
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Noun: 1. In Greek mythology, a fleece of gold: This refers to the fleece of the winged ram Chrysomallos, which was made of gold. It was a central object in the myth of Jason and the Argonauts, who sought to retrieve it from the distant kingdom of Colchis. 2. A valuable prize or goal that is extremely difficult to obtain: By extension, the term is used metaphorically to describe any highly desirable but challenging objective.
Usage Examples
Noun (Mythological Object):
- Jason's quest for the Golden Fleece is one of the great adventures of Greek mythology.
- The dragon was tasked with guarding the Golden Fleece in the sacred grove.
Noun (Metaphorical Goal):
- For many researchers, a Nobel Prize is the golden fleece of their career.
- The startup considered the major investment deal its golden fleece.
Advanced Usage
- "To seek one's golden fleece": To pursue a long and difficult quest for a prized goal.
- He left his hometown to seek his golden fleece in the big city.
- Capitalization: When referring specifically to the mythological object, it is often capitalized as the Golden Fleece.
Variants and Related Words
- Argonaut (n): One of the heroes who sailed with Jason on the ship to find the Golden Fleece.
- Quest (n): A long or arduous search for something, often used in the context of the Golden Fleece.
Synonyms
- Holy Grail: Another metaphorical term for a sought-after ideal or goal, though originating from Arthurian legend.
- Prize: A reward for victory or superiority.
- Elusive goal: An objective that is difficult to achieve or catch.
Related Idioms and Phrases
- A Herculean task: An idiom for a task requiring great strength or effort, similar to the difficulty of obtaining the Golden Fleece. (Note: This idiom originates from the labors of Hercules, a different mythological hero.)
- A dragon to slay: A metaphor for a major obstacle to overcome, reminiscent of the dragon guarding the fleece.
Noun
- in Greek mythology, a fleece of gold owned by the king of Colchis and guarded in a sacred grove by a dragon; recovered by Jason and the Argonauts