gold plate

Meanings

1. A thin layer of gold applied to the surface of an object, often by an electrolytic method.
2. Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see gold, plate.

1. To apply gold plate to an object, to plate with gold.
2. To incorporate costly or otherwise excessive features or refinements unnecessarily, to overengineer.
3. To embellish, to extend beyond its intended scope, especially so as to become stifling, or rigid and inflexible.