glisten


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all that glistens is not gold

Things that have an outward appeal are often not as beautiful or valuable as they seem. I don't know if that necklace from the flea market will have the resale value you're anticipating. All that glistens is not gold, you know. A: "I want to grow up to be a movie star, then I won't have a care in the world!" B: "Just remember that all that glistens is not gold. The pressures of fame can be difficult." Yeah, that car is exquisite-looking, but it's not very well made—my friend has one, and it's in the shop practically every week. Talk about "all that glistens is not gold."
See also: all, glisten, gold, not, that

all that glitters is not gold

Things that have an outward appeal are often not as beautiful or valuable as they seem. I don't know if that necklace from the flea market will have the resale value you're anticipating. All that glitters is not gold, you know. A: "I want to grow up to be a movie star, then I won't have a care in the world!" B: "Just remember that all that glitters is not gold. The pressures of fame can be difficult." Yeah, that car is exquisite-looking, but it's not very well made—my friend has one, and it's in the shop practically every week. Talk about "all that glitters is not gold."
See also: all, glitter, gold, not, that

glisten with (something)

To shimmer or twinkle with something. Katie's engagement ring looked especially stunning as it glistened with sunlight. Stop teasing her! Can't you see that her eyes are glistening with tears? The girls' eyes glisten with excitement every time someone so much as mentions Christmas.
See also: glisten
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

All that glitters is not gold,

 and All that glistens is not gold.
Prov. Just because something looks attractive does not mean it is genuine or valuable. (Often said as a warning.) Hollywood may look like an exciting place to live, but I don't think you should move there. All that glitters is not gold. I know Susie is popular and pretty, but don't befooled by that. All that glitters is not gold.
See also: all, glitter, gold, not, that

glisten with something

to sparkle or shimmer with something. The trees glistened with a thin coating of ice from the freezing rain. Fran's eyes glistened with a few tears.
See also: glisten
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

all that glitters is not gold

Something attractive is not always what it seems, as in This house is really beautiful, but a close look will show dry rot near the foundation-all that glitters is not gold . Aesop stated the same idea in two of his fables (c. 600 b.c.), and a version close to the current wording appeared in 1175.
See also: all, glitter, gold, not, that
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer. Copyright © 2003, 1997 by The Christine Ammer 1992 Trust. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

all that glitters is not gold

or

all that glistens is not gold

If you say all that glitters is not gold or all that glistens is not gold you mean that something or someone may not be as good or as valuable as they first appear. If these offers seem too good to be true, just remember that all that glitters is not gold and you would be well-advised to read the small print. Yes, he's good-looking and he has a nice lifestyle, but all that glistens is not gold.
See also: all, glitter, gold, not, that
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed. © HarperCollins Publishers 2012

all that glitters is not gold

the attractive external appearance of something is not a reliable indication of its true nature. proverb
See also: all, glitter, gold, not, that
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017

ˌall that ˌglitters/ˌglistens/ˌglisters is not ˈgold

(saying) not everything that seems good, attractive, etc. is actually good, etc: Don’t imagine that because they are rich, they are happy. All that glitters is not gold.
The verbs in this idiom all mean ‘shine brightly’.
See also: all, glisten, glister, glitter, gold, not, that
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017

all that glitters is not gold

Appearances can be deceiving. A proverbial saying since the late Middle Ages, it appears in numerous languages to this day. O. Henry wrote a story entitled “The Gold That Glittered,” and two other writers observed in addition that “all isn’t garbage that smells.”
See also: all, glitter, gold, not, that
The Dictionary of Clichés by Christine Ammer Copyright © 2013 by Christine Ammer
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Even as she sprints through India in the scorching summertime, the wife of former US president Bill Clinton doesn't break a sweat - she doesn't even glisten.
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Leeds-based Glisten said like-for-like sales grew 10% in the period, helped by a good start to the financial year last summer.
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Leeds firm Glisten warned of challenges ahead in the short-term as consumers continue to focus on price.
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Glisten was identified by Raisio as a suitable candidate to the company's business and growth strategy.
After Glisten, Raisio Plans More Acquisitions in Europe
Glisten makes cereal, fruit snack bars and health bars and holds the UK rights to Sun-Maid raisins and Weightwatchers products.
Takeover to savour
The cash offer of EUR1.61 per share represents a premium of some 62% to Glisten's closing price on 9 February.
Finland's Raisio announces cash takeover offer for UK Glisten
Dormen will be the foundation of Glisten's new Premium Savoury Snacking Division.
Glisten announces Dormen foods
A signal case in point is The Americans, US Gymnastics Team: Like several of White's subjects, the coach and the injured young female athlete he cradles Pieta-like in his arms both glisten with a sheen of vaguely postcoital perspiration, their expressions caught precisely on the cusp of pain and pleasure.
Charlie White: Andrea Rosen Gallery
Now, he faces a new challenge: making Detroit glisten like a show car under a glaring spotlight as it hosts Super Bowl XL at Ford Field next February 5.
Can Detroit shine like a show car?
[The more the rays bend, the more they create a glistening effect.] So Rodney's eyes glisten.
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In daytime, the pylon's prismatic shape will glisten as it visually anchors the north end Of Museum Mile and reinforces El Museo's location.
Architects' museum design wins award for excellence
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