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Glite Dictionary
golden opportunity

golden opportunity

18 3.2
A rare chance to do something important
  • noun
  • /ˈɡoʊldən ˌɑːpərˈtunɪti/
translation icon : oportunidad de oro
  • Winning the scholarship provided her with a golden opportunity to study abroad.
  • missed a golden opportunity
  • offer a golden opportunity
  • present a golden opportunity

So obviously me being the show off and a narcissist I am, I thought, you know what, this is a golden opportunity.

Examples

  • In fact, we are being offered this, this golden opportunity to take what we have and work upon it and to in fact be happy.

  • Moreover, the profession will have a golden opportunity to encourage the development of new music and new arrangements.

    Academic text (1990)

  • So this is a golden opportunity for me.

  • Failure to do so may result in the loss of a golden opportunity.

    Miss Sloane (2016)

  • A golden opportunity to clear my name.

    Killer Waves 2 (2020)

  • This is a golden opportunity.

    The Black Cat (1941)

  • This is a golden opportunity and one I intend to realize fully!

    Hop (2011)

  • A golden opportunity awaits us.

    The Last Time I Saw Paris (1954)

  • But I think Disney has a golden opportunity to map out a saga that could go for decades.

    Blog text (22)

  • Why hadn't I recognized this trip as the golden opportunity it was, and arranged to make the Bradshaw while I was here?

    Fiction book (1998)

Synonyms

opportunity
vsgolden opportunity
∞ 2.0

A time or situation that lets you do something important

is a rarer and more valuable chance than a general favorable moment
lucky break
vsgolden opportunity
  • Informal
13 3.2

A sudden chance that helps you succeed

is a rare valuable chance rather than an unexpected stroke of luck
golden ticket
vsgolden opportunity
  • Informal
4 4.1

A special chance that gives a person an easy way to succeed

is a valuable but not guaranteed chance to achieve something significant
plum opportunity
vsgolden opportunity
6.1

A very good and rare chance you do not want to miss

is the same idea but emphasises exceptional value rather than desirability
ticket to ride
vsgolden opportunity
  • Informal
6.9

A way to gain success or better opportunities

is rarer and more exceptional than a general route to success

Antonyms

lost opportunity
6 3.4

A chance to succeed that you missed

How Valuable

golden opportunity
18 3.2
opportunity
∞ 2.0
chance
∞ 1.0

Surface Forms

golden opportunity singular
golden opportunities plural

Morphology

golden + opportunity

The meaning 'a rare and valuable chance' is directly compositional from 'golden' (valuable/excellent) + 'opportunity' (a chance or favorable situation). The metaphor of gold = value is cross-linguistically common and follows a straightforward adjective+noun pattern, so a B1 learner who knows both words will readily infer the MWE meaning.

Etymology

Golden opportunity uses the image of golden things, which are rare, valuable and shining, to describe an opportunity you must not miss. That's why it means 'a rare and valuable chance to succeed'.