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On a silver platter

Idiomatic Phrase
Pronunciation

Understanding ARPABET Pronunciation

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The pronunciation guide uses the ARPABET phonetic system—the same system used in speech recognition and text-to-speech applications.

Vowel Examples:
AE1 = cat, bat
EH1 = bed, head
IY1 = see, me
OW1 = go, boat
UW1 = boot, do
Stress Numbers:
0 = no stress (unstressed)
1 = primary stress (loud)
2 = secondary stress (medium)
Example:
AH0 TH IY1 N AH0
= a-THEE-na (Athena)

The stressed syllable (marked with 1) is pronounced louder and clearer than others.

Quick Definition

On a silver platter|Idiomatic Phrase|Receiving something easily without effort, struggle, or merit; implies that benefits or opportunities are handed over readily, often undeservedly.

Detailed Definition
On a silver platter means given easily, luxuriously, or without effort, often by someone else. In poetry, the idiom can suggest privilege, temptation, entitlement, sacrifice, or a gift too readily received. The silver platter evokes wealth, service, ceremony, and display. A poet may use it critically when advantages are handed to the powerful, or tenderly when love offers something precious. It is useful in social critique because it contrasts unearned ease with the labour hidden behind presentation.
Example
Example in poetry:
A social satire might say the prince received power on a silver platter while farmers earned every crust; In a fairy-tale poem, the answer arrives on a silver platter, too easy to trust; The phrase means something given easily without effort; A poet can use it to criticise privilege or convenience.
Additional Notes
On a silver platter means given easily, elegantly, or without effort, often with implications of privilege or entitlement. In poetry, it can critique inherited advantage, temptation, luxury, or passive desire. The silver platter suggests service, wealth, display, and ceremonial offering. Students should ask who prepares the gift and who receives it. The phrase works well in poems about class, labour, gratitude, and unearned ease.
Also Known As
easily
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