Phrase guide

take the gilt off the gingerbread

verb · 1 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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  • Received-Pronunciation: /ˌteɪk ðə ˈɡɪlt ɒf ðə ˈd͡ʒɪn(d͡)ʒəbɹɛd/
  • General-American: /ˌteɪk ðə ˈɡɪlt ɔf ðə ˈd͡ʒɪnd͡ʒɚˌbɹɛd/
  • Australia: Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.

1

verb

Meaning 1

To take away the most attractive or appealing qualities of something; to destroy an illusion.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: idiomatic

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

In the Middle Ages, gingerbread cakes were decorated with a thin layer of gold leaf. Without this casing, they were considered to be humble offerings, generally being little more than flavoured but stale bread.

Across languages

Translations

2 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Finnish: tehdä vähemmän houkutteleva — to take away the most attractive or appealing qualities of something
  • Finnish: romuttaa kuvitelmat — to take away the most attractive or appealing qualities of something