golden calf

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

"Let me say this plainly: this is not a golden calf," he said later that night on X, referring to the Old Testament idol that famously made Moses irate after he received the Commandments.

From Barron's • May 8, 2026

Meanwhile, in the rest of Australia, the fate of the golden calf remains an obsession.

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 5, 2023

Biblically, the golden calf narrative ends when Moses descends from the mountain and sees his people worshipping the idol.

From Salon • Nov. 7, 2020

Groaned the bobby-soxers’ golden calf: “Di’nt seem hard a’tall. Ah’m sure Ah passed!”

From Time • Mar. 24, 2015

Trotter sucked in her breath and glowered down at her like Moses at the Israelites’ golden calf.

From "The Great Gilly Hopkins" by Katherine Paterson