golden ticket

American  

[gohl-duhn tik-it] / ˈgoʊl dən ˈtɪk ɪt /

noun

Informal.

1. a way or chance to obtain something valuable or desirable that is often hard to get.

   A lot of parents think that getting into a prestigious university is a golden ticket, but you have to work hard to make that opportunity count.

   The serum contains proven ingredients that are a golden ticket to longer, healthier nails.

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Etymology

Origin of golden ticket

First recorded in 1680–90

Example Sentences

The Coppa del Duce, more than 90 years on, comes shaped like a golden ticket.

From Slate • Jun. 11, 2026

Melissa Krider thought she’d won the golden ticket when she discovered she’d been selected in the Great Smoky Mountains lottery.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 3, 2026

If you’ve ever daydreamed about owning an item from Carrie Bradshaw’s closet or the writing desk where she penned her famous memoir, this L.A. event may be your golden ticket.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 28, 2026

Beware of assuming that if an adviser who typically serves wealthier people makes an exception for you, it’s a golden ticket.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 10, 2026

Then he cleared his throat, and said, “All right, I’ll read it. Here we go: ‘Greetings to you, the lucky finder of this golden ticket, from Mr. Willy Wonka!

From "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" by Roald Dahl