golden child en · NOUN
Meanings
-
One who is favored or the favorite (in a family, on a team, at work, etc.), often held in high esteem by others, and for whom there are high hopes.
In short, one child in the family is the Golden Child, and one or more is the Scapegoat.
2010, Oscar Knight, Momster, How to Survive A Stolen Childhood, page 214:See the trouble you cause? Why can't you present yourself with your brothers and sisters? AHN. Because I am a golden child.
1999, David Henry Hwang, Golden Child, page 12:Yes, if you begin with the reputation of being a Golden Child, it can cushion the blow for those early days when you make a few mistakes (because I say again, you will make a few mistakes).
2010, Monica R. Parker, What it Takes, page 93:
Forms
| Spelling | Features | Labels | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Golden Child | alternative | lexicographic | |
| golden children | Number=Plur | lexicographic |
Antonyms
black sheep · scapegoat · red-headed stepchild