IdiomFood & Drink
English
Englishborn with a silver spoon in one's mouth
Meaning: Born into a wealthy, privileged family.
Example: “Born with a silver spoon in his mouth, he has never had to worry about rent.”
Origin: Silver spoons were a traditional christening gift from well-off godparents. Peter Motteux's 1712 English translation of Don Quixote has "every man was not born with a silver spoon in his mouth," where it stands in for a Spanish saying with a different image.
Equivalents in other languages
Portuguese: nascer em berço de ouro Literally: To be born in a cradle of gold
French: Né avec une cuillère d'argent dans la bouche Literally: Born with a silver spoon in the mouth
More English idioms
- meet someone halfway To make a compromise with someone.
- have a free hand To have freedom to act as one sees fit.
- wear sackcloth and ashes To show public regret or repentance.
- take a load off someone's mind To relieve someone of a worry.
- a bottomless pit Something that uses up endless money or effort; also a person who is always hungry.
- in the middle of nowhere In a very remote place, far from towns.
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