ENGLISH
REFERENCE

golden touch

idiom
Meaning

Synonym of Midas touch (“the ability to achieve financial reward (or, more generally, success) easily and consistently”).


Origin

disputed origin

From the Greek legend of King Midas, related in chapter XI of Ovid’s Metamorphoses (8 C.E.), whom Dionysus (the god of, among other things, wine and winemaking) gave the power to turn things to gold by touching them. Compare Midas touch.

Examples
SIMPLE

He has a golden touch with every business he starts.

CONTEXTUAL

Investors trust her with their money because she seems to have a golden touch when picking new companies.

COMPLEX

Throughout his long career, the architect possessed a golden touch, transforming even the most neglected urban spaces into highly profitable and celebrated landmarks.

Anchors to
Related idioms8entries
  1. 01

    common touch

    The personal quality of showing understanding of and sympathy for the concerns of ordinary people; rapport with and acceptance by ordinary people, usually in a celebrity or leader.

  2. 02

    golden age

    A period of happiness, peace, prosperity, and great progress.

  3. 03

    golden goose

    Something that generates much profit or gives great advantages.

  4. 04

    golden handcuffs

    Any arrangement or agreement designed to provide extremely favorable benefits or pay, so as to discourage a participant from choosing to leave it, especially to retain a choice employee in a role that is unpleasant to them.

  5. 05

    golden handshake

    A generous severance payment, especially as an inducement to leave employment.

  6. 06

    golden hello

    A payment offered to an employee as an inducement to join, especially if currently working for a competitor.

  7. 07

    golden mean

    A position of balance between excess and deficiency.

  8. 08

    golden opportunity

    Ideal moment to do something.

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