golden calf

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

"Let me say this plainly: this is not a golden calf," he said later that night on X, referring to the Old Testament idol that famously made Moses irate after he received the Commandments.

From Barron's • May 8, 2026

The focus on the fate of the golden calf is understandable.

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 5, 2023

Since then, the concept of the worshiping of a "golden calf" has become a stand-in for a supreme act of apostasy, the rejection of a faith once confessed.

From Salon • Nov. 7, 2020

Méphistophélès' acid remarks about the dominance of "the golden calf" are soon proved true when money begins to rain down from the skies and Lillevan's screens are filled with whirling roulette wheels, Vegas-style.

From The Guardian • Oct. 14, 2012

Trotter sucked in her breath and glowered down at her like Moses at the Israelites’ golden calf.

From "The Great Gilly Hopkins" by Katherine Paterson