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platter

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*on a silver platter

Fig. using a presentation [of something] that is appropriate for a very formal setting. (*Typically: give something to someone ~; present something ~; serve something ~; want something ~.) Aren't paper plates good enough for you? You want dinner maybe on a silver platter?

See also: on, platter, silver

on a silver platter

without work or effort The Internet provides huge quantities of information on a silver platter, but you don't know if it's accurate or true.

See also: on, platter, silver

somebody's head on a plate/platter

if you want someone's head on a plate you are very angry with them and want them to be punished The director was furious at what had happened and wanted Watt's head on a platter.

See also: head, on, plate

give/hand something to somebody on a (silver) platter

to let someone get something very easily, without having to work for it If you sell your share in the company now, you're handing the ownership to him on a silver platter.

See also: give, on, platter

hand to on a silver platter

Also, serve up on a plate. Provide with something valuable for nothing, or give an unearned reward to; also, make it easy for. For example, She did no work at all, expecting to have everything handed to her on a silver platter, or Just ask them-they'll serve up the data on a plate. Both terms allude to being elaborately served at the table. [Early 1900s] Also see born with a silver spoon.

See also: hand, on, platter, silver

platter

see under hand to on a silver platter.

platter

1. and plate n. home base or home plate in baseball. (Usually with the.) The batter stepped up to the platter.

2. n. a phonograph record. (Old but still heard.) They call it a “platter” because it looks like a serving platter.

on a platter

Without exertion; effortlessly: always got what they wanted on a platter.

See also: on, platter