embarrassment of riches

1. An overabundance of something, too much of a good thing, as in All four of them have their own cars but there's no room in the driveway—an embarrassment of riches. This term originated in 1738 as John Ozell's translation of a French play, L'Embarras des richesses (1726).

Example Sentences

Ekitike opted to join Paris St-Germain but could not quite break through amid the embarrassment of riches in the attacking department.

From BBC

He opted for joining Paris St-Germain but he couldn't quite break through amid the club's embarrassment of riches in the attacking department.

From BBC

If your thing ever happened to be strong, slightly weird singer-songwriters to howl along with, the mid-1990s offered an embarrassment of riches.

From Salon

A director having two great movies out within one year is already an embarrassment of riches for the cinema-starved public.

From Salon

A greatest-hits revue, devised by producer Cameron Mackintosh, the celebratory show is a true embarrassment of riches.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• plethora