golden opinion

[vil]

Deaar teachers,

Would you be kind enough to tell me whether the Shakespearian’s phrase “golden opinion” is in use nowadays in our workaday world?

Macbeth…and I have bought
Golden opinions from all sorts of people,
Which would be worn now in their newest gloss,
Nor cast aside so soon.
.. it was his present interest yo buy golden opinions from all sorts of people (W.Scot "Guy Mannering”)

They were full of exuberant energy and curiosity… sunny, graceful, with a golden opinion of themselves and of others, to them everything seemed worth while.

(They, the women of the Middle Ages have liked all people, including themselves)

Thanks for your efforts.

Regard,

V.

[Tullia]

It's a very lovely phrase, very evocative! I think, however, it's not used in general conversation, and not something that has become a set phrase at all.

If used in formal writing it would be understood though, and be a nicely expressive touch, and wouldn't sound out of place.

[Tdol]

Nowadays, you'll find collocations like high opinion instead of golden.