A dictionary of Confusable Phrases: More Than 10,000 Idioms and Collocations

golden ager • golden oldie
golden ager —(U.S. euph.) an elderly person: Frank bought
himself a drink in the bar while watching the golden agers
gossip in the lounge area.
golden oldie —(UK coll.) anything old but classic: The
majority of nature photographers will be using cameras at least
a few years old, and often some golden oldies.
golden cage • golden handcuffs
golden cage —(also: gilded cage) said of a situation where a
person is living in luxury but without freedom: After years of
living in a golden cage she finally makes an attempt to regain
control over her own life.
golden handcuffs —substantial monetary incentives offered
to a valued employee to persuade him to remain with the com-
pany: Mr. Thomson is in line for a £280000 “golden hand-
cuffs” payout on top of his normal remuneration.
good as a play • good as gold
good as a play —said of smth. very entertaining or intensely
amusing: Are they not as good as a play, trying their hand at
legislation?
good as gold —
1
. (of a child) well behaved; not giving trouble:
As soon as a few were bumped off by way of example, all the
others became as good as gold. 2. (of a pledge, etc.) faithful;
reliable: When one of our representatives makes a commit-
ment, you can rest assured that his promise is as good as gold.
3. quite perfect in quality: The chip, which can be implanted
in products, is good as gold. They use it to track the flow of
goods from supplier to store shelf.
good at something • good on something • good
with something
good at something —proficient in a subject or an activity:
Boys and girls rate themselves as being equally good at science
at the primary-school level.
good on something —skilful in one’s performance on a musi-
cal instrument: Hayes said that Pearl was “quite good” on the
violin and also proficient on the mandolin.
good with something —competent in the use of smth.: He
was very good with horses — he worked with them so that they
trusted and respected him.