Knight in shining armour

Meaning

The idiom "knight in shining armor" refers to a person who arrives unexpectedly and saves the day, often in a heroic or impressive way. It can also refer to someone who is exceptionally competent or capable at something. The figure of the knight in shining armor has been a popular one in literature and culture throughout history.

Usage

• "I was about to call for help when a stranger appeared out of nowhere and saved me from drowning." (literal usage)
• "Thanks to the quick thinking of our employees, we were able to save millions of dollars worth of equipment from being stolen." (figurative usage)
• "The new CEO has been a knight in shining armor for our company - they've brought in so many new ideas and strategies." (metaphorical usage)
• "When my car broke down on the highway, a stranger stopped to help me change my tire, and then offered to give me a ride to my destination." (literal usage)
• "The team was struggling with their project until their project manager stepped in and saved the day by organizing everything and delegating tasks effectively." (figurative usage)

Roots and History

The idiom has its roots in medieval literature, where knights were often depicted as heroic figures who came to the rescue of damsels in distress. Over time, the phrase has evolved to refer more broadly to anyone who comes to the aid of someone else in a remarkable or impressive way. The earliest known use of the idiom was in the 14th century, when it appeared in Geoffrey Chaucer's poem "The Knight's Tale".

Synonyms in English

• Hero/heroine
• Savior/saviette
• Champion/championess
• Rescuer/rescuee
• Liberator/liberatee

Synonyms in other languages

• Spanish: Caballero salvador
• French: Chevalier sauveur
• German: Ritter Retter
• Italian: Cavaliere salva
• Japanese: 騎士の光 (knight no hikari)

Similar Idioms

• off grid

• when it rains, it pours

• vale of years