all that glitters is not gold
Meaning
Things that look attractive or valuable on the surface may be disappointing, fake, or less valuable than they appear.
Origin
A proverb warning against judging by appearances; famously popularized in Shakespeare’s The Merchant of Venice (1596), with earlier versions in medieval Latin and French sayings.
Notes
Cautionary, slightly proverbial tone. Implies skepticism about appearances, hype, or first impressions. Suitable in speech and writing; be careful using it to criticize someone directly.
Examples
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The apartment looked perfect online, but the leaky pipes proved that all that glitters is not gold.
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He seemed charming at first, yet his dishonesty reminded me that all that glitters is not gold.
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Don’t rush to buy the cheapest “luxury” watch—remember, all that glitters is not gold.
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The company’s flashy ads couldn’t hide poor customer service, showing that all that glitters is not gold.
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She learned the hard way that all that glitters is not gold when the “dream job” turned out to be toxic.
Grammar & Usage Notes
Fixed proverb structure: “All that glitters is not gold.” Often used as a standalone sentence; sometimes shortened to “All that glitters…” Rarely altered; “glitters” stays 3rd-person singular.
Synonyms
- don’t judge a book by its cover
- things aren’t always what they seem
- all that shines is not gold
- appearances can be deceiving
Antonyms
- appearances are everything
- what you see is what you get