capture gold

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "capture gold" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it in contexts related to mining, gaming, or metaphorically to describe achieving something valuable. For example: "The adventurers set out to capture gold from the hidden cave." Alternative expressions include "collect gold" and "acquire gold."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

Photo: Gretchen Bleiler, who dominated Grand Prix contests leading up to the Olympics, is considered the favorite to capture gold.

The New York Times

On Monday, the 12 good men and true that Uncle Sam will send to China on a mission to capture gold were unveiled.

The Guardian - Sport

If, in his own painting, he wants to capture gold, he can seek inspiration from the chain that glitters in Rembrandt's "Aristotle With a Bust of Homer".

The New York Times

For the next 40 years the USA struggled, failing to capture gold until 2004 when Teti started coaching the men's eight.

The Guardian - Sport

You may recall Claressa Shields as the rose that grew from the concrete of Flint – a depressed Michigan city devastated by unemployment, poverty and, most recently, a shameful water crisis – to capture gold aged 17 in London.

The Guardian - Sport

A group of environmentalists and entrepreneurs is looking for ideas on how to "capture gold" — that is, how to collect and convert plastic waste into new plastic or fuel.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

Despite failing to medal in his signature race, Bolt recovered to capture golds in the 200 metres and the 4 × 100-metre relay, helping to set a new world record in the latter event.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Three other Canadians have captured gold.

The New York Times - Sports

George Foreman, Sugar Ray Leonard and Oscar De La Hoya also captured gold medals.

The New York Times - Sports

The men's Dream Team captured gold that year.

The New York Times - Sports

In previous Olympics, the men's field-hockey team has captured gold eight times.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "capture gold" when writing for sports journalism to add a sense of drama and conquest to a victory. It sounds more dynamic than simply winning.

Common error

Avoid using "capture gold" in purely literal mining contexts unless you are referring to a specific scientific process of trapping particles. In geology, "extract gold" or "mine gold" is usually more precise.

Linguistic Context

Primarily functions as a transitive verb phrase. In the examples provided by Ludwig, it consistently acts as the predicate to a subject (often an athlete or a nation) achieving a top-tier award. The aiResponseStatus confirms it is a standard and correct construction.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Encyclopedias

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Science

3%

Academic

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "capture gold" is a versatile and effective English expression primarily used in the world of sports and journalism to denote winning a gold medal. Ludwig AI shows that it is favored by high-authority publications like The New York Times and The Guardian for its active and triumphant connotations. While it is grammatically correct and common, writers should distinguish between its metaphorical use in competitions and its literal use in scientific or industrial extraction. When looking for alternatives, "win gold" serves as a more direct substitute, while ""extract gold"" is more appropriate for geological contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

win gold

The most standard and direct way to describe coming first in a competition.

clinch the gold

Suggests a hard-fought victory or a win that was finalized in the closing moments.

secure a gold medal

A more formal and descriptive version often used in official reports.

take home the gold

Adds an idiomatic, triumphant flavor to the achievement.

seize the gold

Implies a more aggressive or sudden victory over competitors.

extract gold

Used specifically for mining or chemical processes rather than sports.

attain gold

More abstract and formal, focusing on the reach of a goal.

bag the gold

A highly informal and journalistic colloquialism for winning.

recover gold

Suggests finding gold that was lost or hidden, or recycling it.

claim the top prize

A broader alternative that does not specify the metal type.

FAQs

Is it correct to say "capture gold" in sports?

Yes, it is a very common journalistic expression. You can also use "win gold" or "clinch the gold" depending on the tone you want to set.

What is the difference between "capture gold" and "win gold"?

While both mean achieving first place, "capture gold" implies a sense of achievement and taking possession of the title, whereas "win gold" is the most neutral and common way to describe a victory.

Can "capture gold" be used in science?

Yes, in scientific contexts like chemistry or environmental science, it refers to the process of collecting or filtering gold particles. A similar term is "recover gold".

Which is more formal, "capture gold" or "secure a gold medal"?

"secure a gold medal" is generally more formal and suited for official records, while "capture gold" is preferred in media and storytelling.