good as gold
Meaning
Very well-behaved and obedient; sometimes also means reliable or excellent.
Origin
Recorded from the mid-19th century. The comparison to gold draws on gold’s long-standing value and purity, used metaphorically to mean “as good/reliable as something precious.”
Notes
Often used to praise a child or pet for behaving very well. Can also mean “reliable/excellent,” but that sense is less common and more informal/old-fashioned.
Examples
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After the long flight, the kids were good as gold the entire time.
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Once he understood the rules, he was good as gold in class.
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I was worried about the puppy, but it stayed good as gold while we were out.
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She promised to behave at the wedding, and she was good as gold.
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If you’re good as gold during the appointment, we’ll stop for ice cream afterward.
Grammar & Usage Notes
Usually used predicatively: “be good as gold.” Often intensified with “as”: “as good as gold.” Fixed simile; typically not pluralized or altered much.
Synonyms
- well-behaved
- as good as can be
- obedient
- reliable
Antonyms
- naughty
- badly behaved
- unreliable