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
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

Verb

gold plate (third-person singular simple present gold plates, present participle gold plating, simple past and past participle gold plated)

1. (transitive) To apply gold plate to an object, to plate with gold.
2. (figuratively, transitive) Of a project, to incorporate costly or otherwise excessive features or refinements unnecessarily, to overengineer.
   • Some communities gold-plate their subdivision ordinances because they know that developers, rather than the local voters, are paying.1991, Advisory Commission on Regulatory Barriers to Affordable Housing, “Regulatory Barriers in the Suburbs”, in Thomas H. Kean, Thomas Ludlow Ashley, editors, Not in My Back Yard: Removing Barriers...
3. (figuratively, transitive) Of a law, regulation, etc., to embellish, to extend beyond its intended scope, especially so as to become stifling, or rigid and inflexible.
   • I do not think that we gold plate European regulations although I think others, insurers and other industry bodies, may gold plate on our behalf.2006, House of Lords, quoting Bill Callaghan, Government Policy on the Management of Risk: 5th Report of Session 2005-06, Volume II: Evidence, The Stationery Office, →ISBN, 17 January 2006 - Mr Bill...

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