fool's gold
"Fool's gold" is a term that highlights the deceptive appearance of certain minerals and situations, leading people to mistake them for something valuable.
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Definition
B2Geology
(technical)A mineral, primarily iron pyrite, that looks like gold but has no significant value.
Example
- Many prospectors were disappointed to find that their gold discoveries were actually fool's gold.
B2General
(figurative)Something that seems valuable or promising but is actually worthless.
Example
- His latest business idea turned out to be fool's gold.
Similar
Terms that have similar or relatively close meanings to "fool's gold":
gold feverpoor man's diamondold goldgold minegold piecegold in them thar hills