born with a silver spoon in one's mouth
Meaning: Born into a wealthy, privileged family.
Language: English
Literally: (Already vivid in English)
Example: “Born with a silver spoon in his mouth, he has never had to worry about rent.”
Category: Food & Drink
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."
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 idioms — Food & Drink
- butter wouldn't melt in someone's mouth — Someone looks innocent or proper, but probably is not.
- a pie-crust promise — A promise that is easily broken.
- the honeymoon period — The early, happy stage of a new relationship or arrangement, before problems appear.
- all grist to the mill — Everything can be turned to use or advantage.
- you can't make an omelet without breaking eggs — Achieving something worthwhile involves some loss or damage.
- in a pickle — In a difficult situation.
More English idioms
- penny wise and pound foolish — Careful with small amounts of money but wasteful with large ones.
- 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.
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