born with a silver spoon

Idioms and Phrases

Born wealthy, or fortunate, or both, as in Paul can afford to go to medical school; he was born with a silver spoon . Although some authorities believe this phrase alludes to the custom of godparents giving their godchild a silver spoon, affordable only by rich persons, it is more likely that the spoon has come to symbolize wealth. [c. 1700]

Example Sentences

Many liberals and progressives look at Trump and see a conman, a deeply insecure, malignant narcissist who lacks basic human empathy; a man of immense wealth and privilege who was born with a silver spoon in his mouth and who doesn’t care about anyone but himself and a few family members.

From Salon

“One candidate worked at McDonald’s, while she was in college at an HBCU. The other was born with a silver spoon in his mouth, and helped his daddy in the family business: Housing discrimination,” Crockett said to boisterous laughter.

From Salon

The 1969 protest song focuses on class inequity during the Vietnam War, with John Fogerty singing about a “millionaire’s son” born with a “silver spoon in hand” dodging service in the military while others are sent to fight and die.

From Los Angeles Times

"Some red squirrels have the luck of being born into gentler early environments, akin to being born with a silver spoon," Petrullo said.

From Science Daily

Heather Humphreys tells the Dáil Simon Harris, the son of a taxi driver, was "not born with a silver spoon in his mouth".

From BBC

Related Words

• affluent
• encouraging
• fortuitous
• happy
• healthy
• helpful
• lucky
• profitable
• prosperous
• successful
• wealthy
• well-off