gold-plated

Adjective

gold-plated (not comparable)

1. Having a thin layer of gold applied to the surface, often by electrolysis.
2. (figuratively) Of a project, system, etc., incorporating costly or otherwise excessive features or refinements unnecessarily; overengineered.
   • One often hears of gold plated designs with reference to our engineers lack of concern for cost.1988, Sadhan Choudhury, “Concepts of Project Management”, in Project Management, Tata McGraw-Hill, →ISBN, page 33
   • We have to do enough that works. Not a gold-plated program, but a solid one2001, United States Congress, quoting Senator Max Baucus, Congressional Record: Proceedings and Debates of the 107th Congress, First Session, Volume 147—Part 4: March 27, 2001 to April 23, 2001...
3. (figuratively) Of a law, regulation, etc., embellished to excess, especially so as to be stifling, or rigid and inflexible.
   • Has society introduced swathes of new gold-plated regulations?2002 January 29, Peter Ainsworth, “Farming and Food Commission Report”, in parliamentary debates (House of Commons), column 155
   • The UK has this gold-plated approach, is that beneficial to the UK in terms of the rest of Europe and in terms of the business and the employees? Do we benefit to a greater degree by adopting such an approach2007, House of Lords: European Union Committee, quoting Baroness Gale, Modernising European Union Labour Law: Has the UK Anything to Gain?, Report with Evidence, 22nd Report of Session 2006-07, The...