Gild the lily Meaning in English
expression
Definición
To unnecessarily add decorations or improvements to something that is already beautiful or perfect, making it worse or excessive instead of better.
Uso & Matices
This is an idiomatic, somewhat formal expression, often used in negative advice ('Don't gild the lily'). It suggests restraint and avoiding unnecessary embellishments. Rare in casual speech, but common in writing and commentary.
Oraciones de Ejemplo
Don't gild the lily—the cake looks perfect already.
basic
Adding more colors to the design would gild the lily.
basic
She tried to gild the lily by putting extra bows on the gift.
basic
If you keep editing your essay, you'll just gild the lily and risk ruining it.
natural
Their wedding was beautiful as it was—they really didn't need to gild the lily with more decorations.
natural
Sometimes less is more—there's no reason to gild the lily when the original is already great.
natural