take the gilt off the gingerbread
To take away the most attractive or appealing qualities of something; to destroy an illusion.
Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
“The bad weather took the gilt off the gingerbread for our holiday.”
“A rude waiter often takes the gilt off the gingerbread during a fancy dinner.”
“Winning the lottery was exciting, but the huge tax bill really took the gilt off the gingerbread.”
“The long, exhausting flight home really takes the gilt off the gingerbread after a relaxing two-week stay at a luxury beach resort.”
“Finding out that the lead actor was actually quite mean to the crew takes the gilt off the gingerbread for fans of the movie.”
“The sudden discovery of the company's hidden debts took the gilt off the gingerbread for the investors who had previously seen the firm as a perfect success.”
During the Middle Ages, gingerbread was frequently decorated with a thin layer of gold leaf to disguise its true composition. Without this gilt casing, the cakes were revealed to be humble offerings, generally consisting of little more than flavoured but stale bread. The practice ensured the aesthetic presentation of the confection remained superior to the quality of the ingredients.
- 01
be taken ill
To become ill.
- 02
cake and gingerbread
An easy or pleasant task or experience; a piece of cake.
- 03
cross to take up
Alternative form of cross to bear.
- 04
forget to take one's medication this morning
To be annoyed or irritable, or to behave in an ill-mannered way, particularly in the morning.
- 05
get taken in
To be fooled; to fall for.
- 06
gingerbread up
Synonym of gingerbread (“to decorate or embellish in an ornate or intricate way”).
- 07
give and take
A process of compromise or accommodation.
- 08
give someone an inch and someone will take a mile
Alternative form of give them an inch and they'll take a mile.
Last updated August 10, 2026