bright shiny object
1
7.4
- noun
- Informal
:
objeto brillante
- I am a bit of a free spirit, and I sometimes don't look where I am going when I am walking, and I am distracted by bright shiny objects.
Examples
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In the meeting, we discussed important issues, but he kept bringing up bright shiny objects that distracted everyone.
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In a previous post, I've confessed that I suffer from 'bright shiny object syndrome' and, as such, my brain is particularly tuned to novelty.
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That's what I took away from the whole Stupak thing: a big, bright shiny object.
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We spend time chasing the bright shiny object, only to get lost in a rabbit hole of instant messages, status updates, and emails.
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Instead, the foreigners will focus on bright, shiny objects like their cool architecture and snazzy technological wonders rather than on their police state.
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And with that previous explanation, I'm trying to distract you from the realization that I often start the Advent Calendar late because other work gets in the way, and I skip a few days because I'm distracted by bright, shiny objects.
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People often get sidetracked by bright shiny objects instead of focusing on their goals.
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Her attention wandered to bright shiny objects on the shelf, pulling her away from the main conversation.
How Distracting
- Informal
1
7.4
234
2.9
Surface Forms
Morphology
The literal meanings of 'bright' + 'shiny' + 'object' transparently convey something visually attention‑grabbing, so a B1 learner who knows the words will likely infer it attracts attention. However, the evaluative sense that it is a distracting novelty 'lacking real importance' is a metaphorical extension that is not fully predictable without prior exposure.
Etymology
The compound bright shiny object paints the picture of a bright, shiny object that catches your eye—like a child stopping to stare at a glittering toy. So people use it to warn about a 'distraction' that looks exciting but has little real value.