gift that keeps on giving
Endlessly rewarding present
A gift that keeps on giving is something that provides ongoing benefit or enjoyment long after the initial giving—an investment that pays dividends, a skill that opens doors, a fruit tree that yields year after year: A good education is the gift that keeps on giving.
The phrase is often used sarcastically for something that causes recurring problems: This virus is the gift that keeps on giving.
- annuityPeriodic fixed payment
- passive incomeMoney earned without labor
- benefactionCharitable gift or deed
- endowmentPermanent donated fund
- treatSomething pleasantly special
mentorships · donation · seed · legacy · bequest · contribution · subscriptions · trust fund · savings bond · friendship · heirlooms · family tradition · memberships · education · grant · herpes · perpetual · dividends
gift that keeps on givingone-time gift
Single, non-repeating contribution
flash in the pan · one-shot deal · one and done · one-hit wonder · one-off
gift that keeps on givingblessing in disguise
Apparent misfortune yielding benefit
gift that keeps on givingalbatross around one's neck
Persistent source of guilt
thorn in one's side · Pandora's box · white elephant · money pit