strike gold
To find or achieve something valuable
Literalmente: To hit or discover a vein of gold while digging.
Use `strike gold` to describe a moment of significant success or a lucky, valuable discovery.
En 15 segundos
- To achieve a major success or find something very valuable.
- Originates from 19th-century gold miners searching for fortune.
- Used for business wins, great finds, or perfect life choices.
Significado
It means you have found something amazing or achieved a huge success, often unexpectedly. It is like finding a hidden treasure after a long search.
Ejemplos clave
3 de 6Finding a great apartment
I really struck gold with this apartment; the rent is cheap and it's near downtown!
I found a very valuable apartment for a low price.
Hiring a talented employee
We struck gold when we hired Sarah; she's the best designer we've ever had.
We found a very valuable person for our team.
Texting about a new song
Dude, I just struck gold on Spotify. This new band is incredible!
I found an amazing new band.
Contexto cultural
The phrase is deeply rooted in the California Gold Rush of 1849. It captures the American dream of moving from 'rags to riches' through a mix of hard work and luck. It remains popular because it frames success as an exciting discovery rather than just a boring task.
Watch the Tense
Remember that 'strike' is an irregular verb. Use 'struck' for the past tense. Never say 'striked'—it will make you sound like a beginner!
Not just for Money
In modern English, we use this for quality, not just cash. If you find a recipe that your kids actually eat, you've struck gold!
En 15 segundos
- To achieve a major success or find something very valuable.
- Originates from 19th-century gold miners searching for fortune.
- Used for business wins, great finds, or perfect life choices.
What It Means
Imagine you are digging in the dirt for hours. Suddenly, you see a shiny yellow sparkle. You found it! To strike gold means you have reached a goal that brings big rewards. It is about that 'Aha!' moment of success. It is not just about money. It can be about finding the perfect job or a great partner.
How To Use It
You use it as a verb phrase. You can say you struck gold (past tense) or you are hoping to strike gold. It works well when describing a lucky discovery. Use it when the result is better than you imagined. It sounds active and exciting. It makes your success feel like a grand adventure.
When To Use It
Use it when you find a rare vintage item at a thrift store. Use it when your new marketing campaign gets millions of views. It is perfect for telling friends about a great new restaurant. In a meeting, use it to describe a brilliant business idea. It fits anytime something goes exactly right. Even small wins feel bigger with this phrase.
When NOT To Use It
Do not use it for sad or serious situations. If you find a lost wallet, saying you struck gold sounds greedy. Avoid it for expected, boring results. If you get a 5% discount, it is not striking gold. It is too energetic for very formal legal documents. Don't use it if the success was purely accidental with no effort. It usually implies you were looking for something good.
Cultural Background
This phrase comes from the 19th-century gold rushes in America and Australia. Thousands of people moved across continents hoping to find gold in the ground. Most found nothing, but a few lucky ones literally struck gold. Today, we use it metaphorically for any 'big win.' It reflects the 'pioneer spirit' of seeking fortune and dreaming big. It is a very optimistic, 'can-do' expression.
Common Variations
Sometimes people say they 'hit the jackpot' for gambling wins. You might hear 'hit pay dirt' which is very similar. 'Strike it rich' is used specifically for making a lot of money. You can also say someone 'found a gold mine' if a situation stays profitable. All of these carry that same feeling of sudden, massive success.
Notas de uso
The phrase is highly versatile and sits comfortably between informal and neutral. Just remember the irregular past tense 'struck' to maintain your credibility as a speaker.
Watch the Tense
Remember that 'strike' is an irregular verb. Use 'struck' for the past tense. Never say 'striked'—it will make you sound like a beginner!
Not just for Money
In modern English, we use this for quality, not just cash. If you find a recipe that your kids actually eat, you've struck gold!
Don't Overuse It
If you use it for every small success, it loses its power. Save it for the 'big' wins to sound more natural.
Ejemplos
6I really struck gold with this apartment; the rent is cheap and it's near downtown!
I found a very valuable apartment for a low price.
Used here to describe a lucky find in a difficult market.
We struck gold when we hired Sarah; she's the best designer we've ever had.
We found a very valuable person for our team.
Professional context showing high appreciation for talent.
Dude, I just struck gold on Spotify. This new band is incredible!
I found an amazing new band.
Very casual use for digital discovery.
The company struck gold with their latest app release.
The company achieved great success with their new app.
Focuses on the commercial success of a product.
I struck gold at the garage sale and found a first edition Dickens!
I found a very valuable book by chance.
Conveys the excitement of a collector's find.
I knew I'd struck gold the moment I met him.
I knew I found someone very precious.
Emotional use describing a life-changing relationship.
Ponte a prueba
Choose the correct form of the phrase to complete the sentence.
After years of searching for the right investment, he finally ___ with a tech startup.
The past tense of 'strike' is 'struck'. Since the sentence describes a completed action, 'struck gold' is correct.
Which situation best fits the phrase 'strike gold'?
You would say you 'struck gold' if you ___.
Striking gold implies finding something of high quality or unique value, not just a small bit of luck or a routine task.
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Ayudas visuales
Formality of 'Strike Gold'
Talking to friends about a cool find.
I struck gold at the thrift shop!
Standard workplace or social conversation.
The team really struck gold with this strategy.
Business reports or serious journalism.
The investors struck gold when the stock tripled.
When to say 'Strike Gold'
Career
Landing your dream job
Shopping
Finding a rare vintage item
Romance
Meeting the perfect partner
Business
A product becoming a hit
Preguntas frecuentes
10 preguntasNo, it can be about anything valuable. You can strike gold by finding a great mentor or a perfect vacation spot.
Yes, it is neutral enough for business. For example, We struck gold with this new partnership is perfectly fine.
The past tense is struck gold. You would say, 'Yesterday, I struck gold at the library.'
They are very similar! Hit the jackpot usually implies more luck, while strike gold can imply you were searching for it.
No, it is an idiom, but it is not considered slang. It is widely accepted in professional and casual settings.
No, that is not a standard expression. We always use gold to signify the highest value.
Usually, yes. It implies a moment of discovery that feels special or unexpected.
Absolutely. If you find a great assistant or a wonderful friend, you can say you struck gold with them.
It is used in both! It is a common expression across the entire English-speaking world.
Using it for something bad. You only strike gold when the outcome is positive and beneficial.
Frases relacionadas
Hit the jackpot
To have a sudden, large success, often by luck.
Hit pay dirt
To find something that yields a profit or success.
Find a gold mine
To discover a source of great wealth or information.
Ace it
To do something perfectly (usually a test or performance).
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