gold-plated

gold-plated

1. Literally, coated something in a thin layer of gold. I just don't understand why you would ever want—let alone need—a gold-plated bathtub.
2. By extension, having or incorporating unnecessary, superfluous, and/or overbearing refinements, additions, or embellishments. Congress took what should have been a straightforward clean water initiative and turned it into a cumbersome and wildly impractical gold-plated bill. The county council has been accused of wastefully using taxpayer money to create gold-plated infrastructure improvements to the city.
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
See also:
  • gold-plate
  • strike gold
  • go gold
  • gold mine
  • a gold mine
  • goldbricker
  • get a gold star
  • goldbrick
  • have a heart of gold
  • a heart of gold
References in periodicals archive
A woman's heart always remains entangled in gold ornaments, if not pure, gold-plated becomes ultimate choice to defeat non-affordability and win the race to remain up-to-the-minutes with elegance.
"So, the cost of the toilets is in fact higher than gold-plated ones," said Tezcan KarakuE- Candan, head of the TMMOB's Ankara branch.
The gold-plated version is being offered by London-based company Goldgenie.
The gold-plated brass beads are less dense than the tungsten equivalent and tested because of their significant cost savings.
But just to send the bling factor right through the roof, this SUV also comes complete with a gold-plated exterior.
In the public sector too, proposed changes to gold-plated pensions have been behind some of the biggest strikes in decades.
The most comprehensive review of public sector pensions, led by Lord Hutton, concluded that public sector pensions are not gold-plated. The average pension for a public servant is less than pounds 4,000, more tin than gold.
A MEXICAN drug trafficker who had been on the run for nine years was carrying gold-plated pistols when he was finally recaptured.
TELECOMWORLDWIRE-May 25, 2011-Nokia introduces gold-plated Nokia Oro(C)1994-2011 M2 COMMUNICATIONS http://www.m2.com
WORLDWIDE COMPUTER PRODUCTS NEWS-May 25, 2011-Nokia introduces gold-plated Nokia Oro(C)1995-2011 M2 COMMUNICATIONS http://www.m2.com
The National News Agency said that thieves broke into Saint Elias Church in the village of Majdayel, and made off with gold-plated items used during Mass.
Corinne Sawers is seen holding the gold-plated weapon - similar to those found among Saddam Hussein's treasures after the 2003 Iraq invasion - in her profile pictures .The image of Oxford graduate Corinne, 23, in front of a family Christmas tree could cause problems for her father, MI6 boss Sir John.
Tesco's bargain engagement ring is made from gold-plated silver and the stones are zirconia - a cheap, man-made substitute for diamonds.
Summary: London, July 29, 2010, SPA -- A set of gold-plated dentures worn by British wartime leader Winston Churchill were auctioned for 15,200 pounds (23,740 dollars) Thursday.
The real gold-plated pensions belong to public sector fat cats who have got fatter under the previous government.