a midas touch

USAGE SUMMARY

"a midas touch" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to describe someone who has a talent for making things successful or profitable. For example, "Her midas touch turned the struggling business into a thriving enterprise." Alternative expressions include "golden touch," "magic touch," and "successful knack."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Business

Wiki

Sport

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

40 human-written examples

Draw Something's decline has shown that even Zynga doesn't have a midas touch on mobile, although one bright spot in Q4 was the launch of card-battling mobile game Ayakashi, which Ko said has already become "our highest-monetising mobile game on a per-user basis".

The Guardian - Tech

As flaws go, this one is on the order of a Midas touch, an over-blessing.

The New Yorker

But Birch is the first to admit that he doesn't possess a Midas touch.

The Guardian

For the Great Britain team, it was a Midas touch that had been six days in coming.

Independent

Not for the first time this season Eddie Howe demonstrated a Midas touch in an increasingly frenetic promotion race.

The Guardian - Sport

"But be sure not to overdo it... Just a (Midas) touch is all you need to be 100% sexy".

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

20 human-written examples

A barrel-chested former legend whose midas touch was such that he even made millions selling toilet paper.

The Guardian - Sport

NIGHT LIFE MIDAS TOUCH April 29 The British chanteuse Allison Goldfrapp has a lustrous, honeyed voice capable of holding an audience rapt.

The New Yorker

Neetzan Zimmerman, the Gawker alum known for his midas touch in driving online traffic, promoted what appears to be the startup's first A-list celebrity gossip scoop (Zimmerman says he has vetted the rumor).

TechCrunch

And the gold trim was his midas touch.

The New York Times

Should more of his midas touch rub off on Saturday, he will have no shortage of offers.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use this phrase to describe people or organizations that consistently turn projects into significant financial or professional successes.

Common error

Avoid using the phrase to describe greed or literal transformations. While the original myth of King Midas is a cautionary tale about greed and unintended consequences, the modern idiom "a Midas touch" is almost exclusively positive in business and news contexts.

How to use

Learn how to use "a midas touch" with practical examples and tips.

How to use

Linguistic Context

Grammatically, "a Midas touch" functions as a noun phrase. It most frequently appears as the direct object of the verbs "have", "possess" or "demonstrate". Based on examples from Ludwig, it acts as a qualitative complement that modifies the subject's perceived competence in fields like finance, sports and the arts.

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Business & Finance

10%

Sport

5%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Science

1%

Academia

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In conclusion, "a Midas touch" is a sophisticated and widely accepted idiom used to describe an extraordinary capacity for success. According to data analyzed by Ludwig, the phrase is most prevalent in professional journalism, particularly when highlighting the achievements of individuals in competitive fields like finance and entertainment. While its mythological origins involve a cautionary tale of greed, modern usage is overwhelmingly positive, signaling a level of competence that borders on the uncanny. When writing, remember to capitalize "Midas" and feel confident using it in formal or professional settings to describe a consistent winner. For variety, you might consider synonyms like "golden touch" or "magic touch", but "a Midas touch" remains the most evocative choice for illustrating transformative success.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

golden touch

The most common direct synonym, often used interchangeably

magic touch

Implies a mysterious or effortless ability to fix or improve things

gift of Midas

A more literal allusion to the mythological king

uncanny ability to succeed

Focuses on the surprising nature of the success rather than the outcome

talent for profit

More literal and less idiomatic, focusing strictly on financial gain

innate gift for success

Emphasizes that the skill is born rather than learned

business acumen

A professional term for keenness and quickness in understanding a business situation

knack for moneymaking

A more informal way to describe the same financial talent

winning streak

Suggests a period of continuous success rather than an inherent quality

wizardry

Used metaphorically to describe skill that seems supernatural

FAQs

What does it mean to have "a Midas touch"?

It means to have an exceptional ability to make a lot of money or be highly successful in everything you do. You might also use the term "golden touch" to convey the same meaning.

What can I say instead of "a Midas touch"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "magic touch", "knack for success" or simply describe someone as having an uncanny ability to profit.

Is it "a Midas touch" or "the Midas touch"?

Both are correct and widely used. While "the Midas touch" is more common when referring to the concept generally, "a Midas touch" is frequently used when describing it as a specific attribute possessed by an individual.

What is the opposite of "a Midas touch"?

The opposite is often humorously referred to as a "reverse-Midas touch" or an anti-Midas touch, describing someone who seems to cause everything they touch to fail.