Gild the lily

Meaning

Add unnecessary embellishment.

Usage

Used when cautioning against excess.

Origin & History

Origins and dates here are approximate summaries. Many idioms have disputed or unknown origins, and not every date has been checked against a historical dictionary, so treat specific dates and stories as a starting point rather than a citation.

A paraphrase of Shakespeare's King John (Act 4, Scene 2), which speaks of the 'wasteful and ridiculous excess' of gilding refined gold and painting the lily.

From a play written in the 1590s; the shortened 'gild the lily' came later.