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Glite Dictionary
to take the gilt off the gingerbread

to take the gilt off the gingerbread

9.9
Make something seem less special or exciting than before
  • idiom
  • Archaic
translation icon : desmitificar
  • The disappointing sequel really took the gilt off the gingerbread for many fans.

Examples

  • Her careless remarks unfortunately took the gilt off the gingerbread at the celebration.

  • She always takes the gilt off the gingerbread when discussing the project.

  • Repeated delays have taken the gilt off the gingerbread regarding the new project's launch.

  • Don't take the gilt off the gingerbread just yet!

  • The negative reviews took the gilt off the gingerbread for the highly anticipated film.

  • Her critical comments about the team's performance took the gilt off the gingerbread during the meeting.

  • Constant comparisons to their previous success took the gilt off the gingerbread for their new album.

Synonyms

to pall
vsto take the gilt off the gingerbread
1 7.2

To stop being interesting or enjoyable

lowers immediate attractiveness or excitement rather than a slow fading
to deglamorize
vsto take the gilt off the gingerbread
  • US
7.2

To make something seem less attractive or exciting

is broader, reducing overall attractiveness, specialness, or excitement
to take the shine out of
vsto take the gilt off the gingerbread
  • Informal
7.3

To make something less enjoyable or impressive

reduces general attractiveness or special quality rather than only enjoyment
to dislimn
vsto take the gilt off the gingerbread
  • Archaic
9.9

To remove decorations to make something look simpler

makes something seem less special or exciting rather than only less ornate
to uglify
vsto take the gilt off the gingerbread
8.5

Make something look bad and spoil its appearance

reduces appeal or excitement without necessarily changing the look

Antonyms

to enhance
424 4.0

Make something better or more attractive

to embellish
10 6.3

To make something more beautiful by adding decorative details

How Attractive

to enhance
424 4.0
to improve
∞ 1.0
to take the gilt off the gingerbread
  • Archaic
9.9
to spoil
80 2.8
to ruin
∞ 2.0

Surface Forms

take the gilt off the gingerbread infinitive
took the gilt off the gingerbread past
taken the gilt off the gingerbread past participle
taking the gilt off the gingerbread present participle
takes the gilt off the gingerbread third person singular

Morphology

take + the + gilt + off + the + gingerbread

The phrase literally describes removing a gilt (a thin gold coating) from gingerbread, so the idea of stripping off ornamentation maps directly onto the figurative meaning of making something seem less attractive. However, this is a culture-specific metaphor that relies on knowing 'gilt' and making a figurative mapping, so it is inferable but not fully predictable for an average learner.

Etymology

The idiom take the gilt off the gingerbread may come from a simple picture: a decorated gingerbread covered in shiny gold called the gilt. If you take the gilt off the gingerbread it becomes plain, so the phrase means 'to make something seem less attractive or exciting'.