gilded cage

Cultural  

1. To be like “a bird in a gilded cage” is to live in luxury but without freedom: “Because the movie star could not go out without being recognized and pursued, she stayed in her penthouse, living like a bird in a gilded cage.”

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gilded cage Idioms  

1. The encumbrances or limitations that often accompany material wealth, as in She had furs, jewelry, whatever money could buy, but was trapped in a gilded cage. This metaphoric expression indicating that riches cannot buy happiness was popularized (and possibly coined) in a song, “A Bird in a Gilded Cage” (1990; lyrics by Arthur J. Lamb, music by Harry von Tilzer), about a young girl marrying for wealth instead of love and paying for luxury with a life of regret.

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Example Sentences

Thomas Frank is trapped in a gilded cage at Tottenham Hotspur, his attempts to escape hindered by yet another joyless experience and more Premier League points dropped.

From BBC • Jan. 4, 2026

It shows Taylor and Burton essentially confined to the gilded cage of their New York hotel suite.

From Seattle Times • Mar. 21, 2024

If Guy Ritchie is looking for a second-season storyline this mass contrivance might inspire a hilarious subplot, along with giving Will and Kate something to binge from the velvety interior of their gilded cage.

From Salon • Mar. 12, 2024

Before the speech, his allies had said he was craving interaction with people outside the gilded cage of the White House.

From New York Times • Mar. 8, 2024

It was altogether pleasant, but I never forgot that it was a gilded cage.

From "Long Walk to Freedom" by Nelson Mandela