Definition, Meaning & Synonyms

golden-goose

noun

/ˈɡoʊldən ɡuːs/

Definition

A proverbial term referring to a source of continual wealth or income that is protected so it can continue to produce.

Examples

The entrepreneur was cautious not to jeopardize his golden-goose of a business, which had been flourishing for years.
Investing wisely in your skills can prove to be a golden-goose for your career.
After discovering the recipe for the bakery’s best-selling cake, she realized she had found her golden-goose.

Meaning

The phrase ‘golden-goose’ comes from the fable of ‘The Goose That Laid the Golden Eggs.’ It describes something (or someone) that generates significant benefits or profits, and it can imply the importance of safeguarding that source.