golden goose

golden goose

A person, thing, or organization that is or has the potential to earn a lot of money for a long period of time. Taken from a folk tale of a goose that would lay a golden egg once a day, but was killed by its owner because he wanted all of its gold at once. New carbon taxes have proved to be a golden goose for the government, providing a steady and much-needed source of revenue. College athletics, especially football, have always been a golden goose for universities, which earn significant sums from attendance at games and tournaments.
See also: golden, goose
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

(kill) the golden ˈgoose

(also (kill) the goose that lays the golden ˈegg/ˈeggs) (destroy) something that makes you rich, successful, etc: The government is worried that a new tax might kill the golden goose by scaring away foreign investment. The banks made vast profits from an energy trader that had become the golden goose of Wall Street.This comes from an ancient Greek story about a farmer who had a goose that laid golden eggs. The farmer thought that if he killed the goose he could get all the eggs inside. However, by killing the goose, he lost everything.
See also: golden, goose
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
See also:
  • the golden goose
  • (you) silly goose
  • cook someone's goose, to
  • cook your goose
  • cook (one's) goose
  • cook goose
  • cook somebody's goose
  • cook someone's goose
  • for a coon's age
  • the old woman is plucking her goose
References in periodicals archive
Venice-based couple Alessandro Gallo and Francesca Rinaldo started Golden Goose in 2000.
Sneaker seeker
The leading brand named two Colours of the Year for 2018: Black Elegance (DLX1004-7), a statement-making black infused with an undertone of the deepest brown, and a beautiful metallic companion, Dulux Effects Finishes LIQUID METAL Golden Goose (015LM).
DULUX Paints by PPG Announces Color Trends for 2018: DULUX Paints by PPG has announced its color trends for 2018
Not with the extended toxic political environment that threatens to kill the "golden goose that lays the golden egg".
Toxic politics hurts limping tourism
Athletics, Kenya's golden goose in international competition, will have a reduced entry of just 65 participants with boxing and swimming also having been affected.
Kenya gets small quota, promises better performance at CWG
The outlaw cat must rely on an old friend, a seductive thief and his own skills if he is to acquire the fabled eggs of the Golden Goose.
Film Of The Week
CARWYN Jones and his team have killed the golden goose, says Bryan D Prescott (Echo letters, June 29).
Circuit of Wales was never a golden goose; Get in touch - tell us what you think Email: ecletters@walesonline.co.uk Twitter: @WalesOnline Facebook: facebook.com/WalesOnline Post: Media Wales, 6 Park Street, Cardiff CF10 1XR
They include one that is served in a birdcage, a treasure chest, a golden goose and a bath.
Team behind Ghetto Golf says watch the Birdie; ellen kirwin TAKES A LOOK AT THE NEW COCKTAIL BAR AND BARBECUE IN THE GROUNDS OF THE POPULAR CITY ATTRACTION
Stan Smith pumps are particularly versatile, as are the newly remastered Adidas Gazelle, or if your budget stretches Saint Laurent (or will it be YSL again now that Anthony Vaccerello is at the helm?) and Golden Goose also have some great styles.
THINGS LOOKING rosie FOR UGG
The Grand Prix was seen as the golden goose in French racing at the time and this new event in October would see horses compete on equal terms.
HORSE PLAY
Jack's golden goose finally catches him and drops him back into the cage: we have to close the cage-flap quickly, and we mustn't take our eyes off Nibbles even for one second ...
Yarlett, Emma: Nibbles the Book Monster
On closer inspection, the 'Distressed Superstar Sneakers' made by Golden Goose were actually brand new and could be yours for a steal at PS445.
ANYONE who's been to New [...]; Christopher Bucktin's America THE BUCK STOPS HERE
Golden Goose sneakers, $615; Blithe and Vine, 2943 Old Canton Rd., Jackson, 601.427.3322, blitheandvine.com 7.
Superior & sporty: comfy and luxurious everyday attire
Online dealers will kill the golden goose: They need local stores to transfer to, but if local stores refuse transfers then they in turn will be hurt by negative feedback.
Killing the golden goose
The energy sector is a "golden goose" for the North East but the Government is failing to help the region realise its potential, a contender to be Labour's deputy leader has said.
Caroline Flint savages David Cameron over his environment record; Energy sector is key to empowering the North East but Government is failing to understand, says Labour deputy leadership candidate
Branstetter, Carnegie Mellon University and NBER; Chirantan Chatterjee, Indian Institute of Management Bangalore; and Matthew Higgins, Georgia Institute of Technology and NBER, "Starving or Fattening the Golden Goose? Generic Entry and the Incentives for Early-Stage Pharmaceutical Innovation" (NBER Working Paper No.
Productivity, innovation, and entrepreneurship