Gild The Lily (Verb)
Meaning 1
Make unnecessary additions to what is already complete.
Classification
Verbs of size, temperature change, intensifying, etc..
Examples
- The chef added truffles to the already decadent chocolate cake, needlessly gilding the lily with an excessive ingredient.
- The novelist spent hours rephrasing a paragraph that was perfect as it was, gilding the lily with overly elaborate language.
- She put on multiple layers of glitter eyeshadow, gilding the lily and overwhelming her otherwise elegant look.
- The ad agency added more and more special effects to the commercial, gilding the lily and making it over-the-top.
- The musician insisted on adding 10 more tracks to the album, gilding the lily and diluting the overall impact of the music.
Synonyms
Meaning 2
Adorn unnecessarily (something that is already beautiful).
Classification
Verbs of sewing, baking, painting, performing.
Examples
- The stunning view from the mountaintop didn't need any extra lighting, but the resort owners decided to gild the lily with flashing strobes anyway.
- Her exquisite wedding dress was perfect on its own, but she chose to gild the lily with extra embroidery and gemstones.
- The band's energetic live performance could have stood alone, but the elaborate pyrotechnics only served to gild the lily.
- Adding a dozen carats of diamonds to an already flawless engagement ring seemed to gild the lily, but the groom wanted to splurge.
- The chef felt that the delicate flavors of the dish would be enough to wow the guests, but the restaurant owner insisted on garnishing it with 24K gold to gild the lily.