take the gilt off the gingerbread
/ˌteɪk ðə ˈɡɪlt ɒf ðə ˈd͡ʒɪn(d͡)ʒəbrɛd//ˌteɪk ðə ˈɡɪlt ɔf ðə ˈd͡ʒɪnd͡ʒɚˌbrɛd/
词源说明
In the Middle Ages, gingerbread cakes were decorated with a thin layer of gold leaf. Without this casing, they were considered to be humble offerings, generally being little more than flavoured but stale bread.