Strike Gold Meaning, Synonyms, Examples

Do you know anyone who has recently “struck gold” in any aspect of their lives? The idiom “strike gold” refers to having great success with something, especially one that leads to financial gain or happiness. It can also mean finding or discovering something valuable or useful. 

The idiom comes from the literal meaning of finding gold in a mine or a river, which was a very lucky and profitable event for many people in the past. It dates back to the 19th century, when gold rushes occurred in various parts of the world, such as California, Australia, and South Africa. People who went to these places in search of gold were called “gold miners”, hoping to strike gold by digging or panning for it. So the idiom became a metaphor for achieving great success or wealth in any field or endeavour. 

In 1849, the American writer Edgar Allan Poe also wrote a short story called “The Gold Bug”, in which he used the phrase “to strike gold” to describe finding a hidden treasure. The idiom is still widely used today to express the idea of having great luck or fortune with something. 

Usage With Examples

Here are some ways to use the idiom “strike gold” in a sentence correctly for different contexts:

1. She struck gold when she got a job offer from her dream company.
2. He struck gold with his novel, which became a bestseller and was adapted into a movie.
3. They struck gold when they found an antique vase in their attic.
4. She is the favourite to strike gold in the 100-meter sprint at the Olympics.
5. He struck gold when he met his soulmate.

Also Read: 500+ Most Commonly Used Idioms in English

Synonyms and Similar Phrases

Some words and phrases similar in meaning to the above idiom are as follows:

1. Boost
2. Improve
3. Develop
4. Grow
5. Raise
6. Upgrade
7. Hit the jackpot
8. Make a killing
9. Find a treasure
10. Hit pay dirt
11. Strike it rich

Also Read: Love is a Rose with Thorns Meaning, Synonyms, Examples

Strike Gold Quiz

Which of the following sentences uses the idiom “strike gold” correctly?

A) He struck gold when he found a large nugget of gold in his backyard. 

B) She struck gold when she won the lottery and bought a mansion. 

C) He struck gold when he painted his house with gold paint. 

D) She struck gold when she baked a cake with gold flakes.

The correct answer is B. 

So this was all the idiom “strike gold” meaning, its usage in different contexts, and synonyms and phrases related to it. Keep exploring more idioms like this daily by following Leverage Edu. Happy Learning!