take the gilt off the gingerbread: meaning & examples

Meanings:

• 1.

  UKhistoricalgeneralidiomaticinformalcolloquial
  • To diminish or spoil the attractiveness or appeal of something by removing or revealing its superficial decoration.
  • To expose an underlying flaw or less attractive reality beneath an ornate or impressive exterior.

  Examples

  Beta

  • Removing the gilded decorations seemed to take the gilt off the gingerbread, making it less appealing.

    Quitar las decoraciones doradas pareció quitar el dorado del pan de jengibre, haciéndolo menos atractivo.

  • When the flaws were exposed, it really took the gilt off the gingerbread of the whole project.

    Cuando se expusieron los defectos, realmente se quitó el dorado del pan de jengibre de todo el proyecto.

  • The scandal took the gilt off the gingerbread of the company’s public image.

    El escándalo quitó el dorado del pan de jengibre de la imagen pública de la empresa.