all that glitters is not gold

all that glitters is not gold

Things that have an outward appeal are often not as beautiful or valuable as they seem. I don't know if that necklace from the flea market will have the resale value you're anticipating. All that glitters is not gold, you know. A: "I want to grow up to be a movie star, then I won't have a care in the world!" B: "Just remember that all that glitters is not gold. The pressures of fame can be difficult."
See also: all, glitter, gold, not, that
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

All that glitters is not gold,

 and All that glistens is not gold.
Prov. Just because something looks attractive does not mean it is genuine or valuable. (Often said as a warning.) Hollywood may look like an exciting place to live, but I don't think you should move there. All that glitters is not gold. I know Susie is popular and pretty, but don't befooled by that. All that glitters is not gold.
See also: all, glitter, gold, not, that
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.

all that glitters is not gold

Something attractive is not always what it seems, as in This house is really beautiful, but a close look will show dry rot near the foundation-all that glitters is not gold . Aesop stated the same idea in two of his fables (c. 600 b.c.), and a version close to the current wording appeared in 1175.
See also: all, glitter, gold, not, that
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.

all that glitters is not gold

or

all that glistens is not gold

If you say all that glitters is not gold or all that glistens is not gold you mean that something or someone may not be as good or as valuable as they first appear. If these offers seem too good to be true, just remember that all that glitters is not gold and you would be well-advised to read the small print. Yes, he's good-looking and he has a nice lifestyle, but all that glistens is not gold.
See also: all, glitter, gold, not, that
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed.

all that glitters is not gold

the attractive external appearance of something is not a reliable indication of its true nature. proverb
See also: all, glitter, gold, not, that
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

ˌall that ˌglitters/ˌglistens/ˌglisters is not ˈgold

(saying) not everything that seems good, attractive, etc. is actually good, etc: Don’t imagine that because they are rich, they are happy. All that glitters is not gold.
The verbs in this idiom all mean ‘shine brightly’.
See also: all, glisten, glitter, gold, not, that
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

all that glitters is not gold

Appearances can be deceiving. A proverbial saying since the late Middle Ages, it appears in numerous languages to this day. O. Henry wrote a story entitled “The Gold That Glittered,” and two other writers observed in addition that “all isn’t garbage that smells.”
See also: all, glitter, gold, not, that
The Dictionary of Clichés by Christine Ammer
See also:
  • all that glistens is not gold
  • all that glitters/glistens/glisters is not gold
  • glisten
  • glitter
  • (as) fit as a flea
  • fit as a flea
  • flea
  • flea in one's ear, a
  • a flea in ear
  • a flea in your ear
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Responding to reporters' questions in Enugu on Sunday on the emergence of Alhaji Abubakar as PDP presidential candidate and Obi as his running mate, Okechukwu, an All Progressives Congress (APC) senatorial aspirant for Enugu West senatorial district, reminded Nigerians that 'all that glitters is not gold.'
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THE proverb 'All that glitters is not gold' is very apt, when the poverty that the people of Garin Auwal are being subjected to is taken into consideration, as the abundant deposit of gold has not translated into wealth for the people of the Fakai Local Government Area of Kebbi State community.
Gold, gold..., but no glitter in Garin Auwal