struck gold

USAGE SUMMARY

"struck gold" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is an idiom that means to have found something valuable or that has been very successful. For example: "The company struck gold when they released their new product."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Mr. Paulson struck gold.

The New York Times

Philo struck gold.

Independent

Leicestershire's struck gold.

Independent

I've definitely struck gold.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"Jeremy Parrott struck gold".

The Guardian - Books

"We struck gold with this guy".

The New York Times - Sports

The Incredibles – 90 Pixar struck gold, again.

Independent

Mr. Custot and his colleagues struck gold.

The New York Times - Arts

This English couple struck gold in 2012.

Independent

We struck gold almost immediately.

The New York Times - Magazine

In time, Archie struck gold.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "struck gold" to emphasize a significant and often unexpected success or discovery. It adds a vivid image to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "struck gold" in literal contexts unless you're actually referring to mining. It's an idiom best reserved for metaphorical achievements.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "struck gold" functions as an idiomatic verb phrase, indicating the attainment of a significant success or valuable discovery. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage, showcasing its role in conveying a sense of achievement.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

97%

Wiki

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "struck gold" is a widely used and grammatically sound idiomatic verb phrase that signifies achieving a significant success or valuable discovery. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage across various contexts, predominantly in News & Media. Its neutral register makes it versatile for different audiences, while its idiomatic nature adds a vivid and impactful element to writing. When using this phrase, remember to reserve it for metaphorical achievements rather than literal mining contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

hit the jackpot

Emphasizes a large, sudden success, often associated with luck.

found a treasure

Highlights the discovery of something valuable, either literally or figuratively.

found a gem

Suggests discovering something rare and valuable.

achieved success

A more general term for reaching a desired outcome.

made a breakthrough

Focuses on overcoming an obstacle to achieve a significant advancement.

had a stroke of luck

Similar to "hit the jackpot", but focuses solely on luck being the driver.

made a killing

Suggests making a large profit quickly.

turned out trumps

Implies an unexpectedly positive result.

reaped rewards

Highlights the benefits gained from effort or investment.

attained prosperity

Focuses on long-term success and abundance.

FAQs

How can I use "struck gold" in a sentence?

Use "struck gold" to describe an unexpected success or valuable discovery, such as "The company "struck gold" with their new marketing campaign".

What's a less common way to say "struck gold"?

Alternatives to "struck gold" include "hit the jackpot", "found a treasure", or "achieved success". Each conveys a similar sense of significant gain or accomplishment.

Is it correct to say "strike gold" or "struck gold"?

"Struck gold" is the past tense of "strike gold". Use "strike gold" when discussing the action in the present or future, and "struck gold" when referring to a past event.

What's the difference between "struck gold" and "got lucky"?

"Struck gold" implies a significant discovery or success, often after effort or searching, while "got lucky" ("had a stroke of luck") suggests that success was primarily due to chance without preparation or investment.