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Region: General | Usage example: Her mentorship is worth its weight in gold for new hires.

Worth its weight in gold

Meaning

Extremely valuable or useful.

Usage

Used to praise experiences, people, or advice that are invaluable.

Origin & History

Origin notes can vary by region and source; this page gives the commonly reported explanation and usage context.

Gold was once measured by weight, making it a symbol of value.

Dating back to at least the 1800s as a comparison to precious metal.

Related Idioms

A picture is worth a thousand words

Visuals can convey complex ideas faster than text alone.

Throw your weight around

Use authority aggressively or boastfully.

Punch above your weight

Perform better than expected relative to one’s position.

More Idioms

Break the ice

To do or say something to relieve tension or get conversation going in a social situation.

Cut to the chase

Skip ahead to the most important or exciting part of something.

The ball is in your court

It is now your turn to take action or make a decision.

Throw in the towel

To concede defeat or admit a struggle isn't worth continuing.