embarrassment of riches
em
ɪm
im
ba
ˈbæ
rrass
rəs
rēs
ment
mənt
mēnt
of
əv
ēv
ri
ri
ches
ʧɪz
chiz

Definition & Meaning of "embarrassment of riches"in English

embarrassment of riches
01

a situation in which there is too much of resources or options for one to choose from 

embarrassment of riches definition and meaning
Idiom

What is the origin of the idiom "embarrassment of riches" and when to use it?

The phrase "embarrassment of riches" actually originated from William Shakespeare's play "Hamlet," written in the early 17th century. In Act III, Scene IV, Hamlet uses the phrase "embassage of goodly virtues" to describe an overwhelming abundance of positive qualities. Over time, the phrase evolved to "embarrassment of riches" in English literature, particularly during the 18th century. It has become a widely recognized idiom to describe situations where there is an excessive amount or overwhelming abundance of something valuable. It is commonly employed when discussing scenarios involving wealth, possessions, talents, opportunities, or options.

Examples
With so many excellent restaurants, I had an embarrassment of riches deciding where to eat. 
LanGeek
Download LanGeek app
langeek application

Download Mobile App

App Store