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  • All that glitters is not gold
    All that glitters is not gold
    Things that appear on the surface to be of great value may be quite worthless.
  • all that glitters is not gold
    all that glitters is not gold
    Something attractive is not always what it seems, as in This house is really beautiful, but a close look will show dry rot near the foundation—all that glitters is not gold. Aesop stated the same idea in two of his fables (c. 600 b.c.), and a version close to the current wording appeared in 1175.

All that glitters is not gold

Cultural  
  1. Things that appear on the surface to be of great value may be quite worthless.


all that glitters is not gold Idioms  
  1. Something attractive is not always what it seems, as in This house is really beautiful, but a close look will show dry rot near the foundation—all that glitters is not gold. Aesop stated the same idea in two of his fables (c. 600 b.c.), and a version close to the current wording appeared in 1175.


Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Willie learned the truth of the axiom that "All that glitters is not gold," even "A Gilded Age" on that memorable night, for it materially injured the business during the remainder of his engagement.

From The Mormons and the Theatre or The History of Theatricals in Utah by Lindsay, John S.

All that glitters is not gold, Herr Candidate.

From The Romance of the Canoness A Life-History by Heyse, Paul

Black sheep dwell in every fold; All that glitters is not gold; Storks turn out to be but logs; Bulls are but inflated frogs.

From The Complete Plays of Gilbert and Sullivan by Gilbert, W. S. (William Schwenck), Sir

What is it that comes to tell us All that glitters is not gold?

From Life and Literature Over two thousand extracts from ancient and modern writers, and classified in alphabetical order by Richardson, John Purver

The proverb's teachings we must hold "All that glitters is not gold."

From Perfect Behavior; a guide for ladies and gentlemen in all social crises by Stewart, Donald Ogden