worship the golden calf
Meaning: To value money and wealth above everything.
Language: English
Literally: (Already vivid in English)
Example: “The film is a satire of a town that worships the golden calf.”
Category: Animals
Origin: From the Book of Exodus: while Moses is on Mount Sinai, the Israelites make a golden calf and worship it as an idol.
Equivalents in other languages
- French: Adorer le veau d'or — literally: To worship the golden calf
More idioms — Animals
- ants in one's pants — Restless, unable to sit still.
- blistering barnacles — A comic exclamation of surprise or anger.
- a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush — It is better to keep what you have than risk it for something more uncertain.
- hightail it — To leave in a great hurry.
- you could have knocked me down with a feather — I was extremely surprised.
- like a rat in a trap — Trapped with no way to escape.
More English idioms
- a poisoned chalice — Something that seems attractive but brings trouble to whoever accepts it.
- at the top of one's lungs — As loudly as possible.
- Captain Obvious — A mocking name for someone who states the obvious.
- think the moon is made of green cheese — To be very gullible.
- let's hit the road — Let's leave; let's get going.
- gone with the wind — Gone forever, vanished without a trace.