Choose the meaning of the idiom used in the following sentence:
The boy had a nice holiday, but the landlord's rebuke took the gilt off the gingerbread.
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 1
The correct answer is Option (1) → upset the mood
Take the gilt off the gingerbread means to spoil the pleasure or charm of something. Gingerbread sold at fairs was once decorated with gold leaf (gilt); without it, the cake looked plain. The landlord's rebuke spoilt the joy of an otherwise nice holiday: it upset the mood.
Example: Losing his wallet on the last day took the gilt off the gingerbread.