born with a silver spoon

Idioms and Phrases

Born wealthy, or fortunate, or both, as in Paul can afford to go to medical school; he was born with a silver spoon . Although some authorities believe this phrase alludes to the custom of godparents giving their godchild a silver spoon, affordable only by rich persons, it is more likely that the spoon has come to symbolize wealth. [c. 1700]

Related Words

• affluent
• encouraging
• fortuitous
• happy
• healthy
• helpful
• lucky
• profitable
• prosperous
• successful
• wealthy
• well-off