What Does "Take the Gilt off the Gingerbread" Mean?
"Take the gilt off the gingerbread" is an English idiom. It means "to diminish or detract from the attractiveness, appeal, or luxury of something."Examples in Sentences
Here are three examples of the idiom "take the gilt off the gingerbread" used in a sentence:- The unexpected maintenance costs took the gilt off the gingerbread of their new house.
- Taking the gilt off the gingerbread can be a disappointing or frustrating experience.
- Unexpected setbacks can sometimes take the gilt off the gingerbread of exciting plans.
What Is an Idiom?
An idiom is a commonly used expression whose meaning does not relate to the literal meaning of its words. In other words, if you were to translate "Take the Gilt off the Gingerbread" word for word, there is no guarantee the translation would help you to understand the meaning.An idiom often includes a cultural or historical context that makes it difficult for non-native English speakers to understand. A phrase is classified as an idiom when a direct translation of the words does not reveal the meaning. Most idioms rely on shared knowledge or experiences known only to a specific community.
A Quick Test
You now know what "take the gilt off the gingerbread" means, but are you good at English idioms? Let's see!
Gold
Silver
Bronze
- This test has questions.
- A correct answer is worth 5 points.
- You can get up to 5 bonus points for a speedy answer.
- Some questions demand more than one answer. You must get every part right.
- Beware! Wrong answers score 0 points.
- 🏆 If you beat one of the top 3 scores, you will be invited to apply for the Hall of Fame.
Scoring System
Guru (+)
Hero (+)
Captain (+)
Sergeant (+)
Recruit (+)
Guru (+)
Hero (+)
Captain (+)
Sergeant (+)
Recruit (+)
- Do you disagree with something on this page?
- Did you spot a typo?
