the world is your oyster

Register · Neutral Neutral — appropriate in most situations, both spoken and written, without sounding too casual or too stiff. CEFR C1

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Figurative meaning

You are free to enjoy all the opportunities life has to offer.

Why this phrase?

An oyster may hide a pearl, suggesting hidden riches waiting to be claimed.

Example

“With a degree like that, the world is your oyster.”

Dictionary details

Tags

Expressions connected by reviewed component words or topic tags.

a blessing in disguise Neutral · CEFR B1

Something that seems bad at first but turns out to have a good outcome.

every cloud has a silver lining Neutral · CEFR B1

Every difficult situation has some hopeful or positive aspect.

keep your chin up Informal · CEFR B1

To stay cheerful and brave during a difficult time.

miss the boat Informal · CEFR B1

To lose a chance to do something by being too slow or late.

foot in the door Neutral · CEFR B2

an initial opportunity that may lead to bigger things

gold rush Neutral · CEFR B2

a sudden mass rush to profit from a new opportunity

Source methodology

Meanings, register, CEFR, and examples come from the reviewed dictionary record. Expression notes may describe a reviewed present-day word picture or a background note; they are not presented as verified etymology.

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