gold fever

American  

noun

1. greed and excitement caused by a gold rush.

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Etymology

Origin of gold fever

First recorded in 1840–50

Example Sentences

California has been a beacon, a destination, a paradise and promised land ever since its headlong expansion in a rush of gold fever.

From Los Angeles Times

And, as it turns out, the rain brought a measure of gold fever back to the foothills of the Sierra.

From New York Times

But gold, and gold fever, have inevitably spurred conflict.

From Los Angeles Times

“The guys who catch Bigfoot gold fever, they become lost to it,” Pyle says.

From Seattle Times

So he drank some of the toxic chemical, choosing the promises of gold fever over the pain of mercury poisoning.

From New York Times