paint / gild the lily

/pˈeɪnt ɡˈɪld ðə lˈɪli/

[phrase]

to paint / gild the lily

[PHRASE]

to unnecessarily adorn or decorate something that is already beautiful or perfect

to [paint|gild] the lily definition and meaning

What is the origin of the idiom "paint the lily" and when to use it?

The idiom "paint the lily" comes from Shakespeare's "King John" where a character uses "to gild refined gold, to paint the lily" to describe futile efforts to improve something already perfect. The term is used when people add excess embellishments to something good, in both minor and major situations, and in personal or professional contexts.

operated by automation

synonyms : automated

machine-controlled

machine-driven

adorn unnecessarily (something that is already beautiful)

Examples

1. The design of the dress was already elegant, but adding more sequins and beading would just paint the lily.

2. The speech was already moving, but adding more dramatic language and gestures would gild the lily and make it seem insincere.

3. The garden was already beautiful, but adding more flowers and decorations would just paint the lily and make it look cluttered.

4. The food at the restaurant was already delicious, but adding more spices and flavors would gild the lily and ruin the balance of the dish.

Nearby words