golden ticket

[ gohl-duhn tik-it ]

noun

, Informal.

1. a way or chance to obtain something valuable or desirable that is often hard to get:

   A lot of parents think that getting into a prestigious university is a golden ticket, but you have to work hard to make that opportunity count.

   The serum contains proven ingredients that are a golden ticket to longer, healthier nails.

Word History and Origins

Origin of golden ticket¹

First recorded in 1680–90

Example Sentences

Any singer who can become the poster boy for one of these groups gets a golden ticket straight to the finals.

From The Daily Beast