What does the idiom the cream of the crop mean?

The best or choicest of anything, as in The apples from this orchard are definitely the cream of the crop. The noun cream has been used to mean “the best” since the 16th century. The French equivalent of the present term, la crème de la crème (“the cream of the cream”) was familiar in English by 1800.

What does the cream of the crop mean?

Synonyms & Antonyms of cream of the crop

individuals carefully selected as being the best of a class. He was certain that the judges would recognize his show rabbit as the cream of the crop.

How do you use cream of the crop?

So, if something is the “cream of the crop,” it the best of its kind. For example, the apples from a farm near my house are the best, I could say they are the cream of the crop. But English speakers use this expression for just about anything, not just food or drink. We can describe people this way.

What is another word for cream of the crop?

In this page you can discover 18 synonyms, antonyms, idiomatic expressions, and related words for cream-of-the-crop, like: cream of the cream, best of the best, pick-of-the-litter, beau-monde, aristocracy, beautiful people, haut monde, high-society, privileged class, smart set and the best and brightest.

What is cream of the cream?

Crème de la crème (French, literally 'cream of the cream') is an idiom meaning "the best of the best", "superlative", or "the very best". It may also refer to: Creme de la Creme (band), a defunct German band.

idioms 101 - the cream of the crop

Where did the term cream of the crop come from?

“The cream of the crop” is a phrase that is inspired by the French phrase 'la crème de la crème,' which loosely translates to “the cream of the cream”. This phrase is used when someone tries to convey the highest value or quality of a person or object.

What is meant by cherry on top?

(also the cherry on (top of) the sundae, the cherry on top) something that makes something that is already good even better, or perfect: For his career, the Olympic Games would be the cherry on the cake. He put the cherry on top of the cake by scoring for the third time.

What does crème de la crème mean in English?

Definition of crème de la crème

: the very best.

What is Beau Monde meaning?

Definition of beau monde

: the world of high society and fashion.

What does top of the crop mean?

Definition of top crop

: the harvest from the upper and younger portion of plants (as cotton)

What does the saying the cream always rises to the top mean?

Meaning: A good person or idea cannot go unnoticed for long, just as cream poured in coffee or tea eventually rises to the top. Contributor: Mickey Brownell.

What does chalk and cheese mean?

When you say that two people are like 'chalk and cheese', you are suggesting that the two are very different from each other; they have nothing in common. The expression, which has the same meaning as 'apples and oranges', can be used with things as well. No one is really sure about the origin of this idiom.

Is cream of the crop hyphenated?

Cream of the crop is hyphenated (cream-of-the-crop) only when it functions as a phrasal adjective preceding the noun it modifies (see the last example below).

What does letting bygones be bygones mean?

Definition of let bygones be bygones

: to forgive someone for something done or for a disagreement and to forget about it I know we've had our fights over the years, but I think it's time we let bygones be bygones.

What is meant by mano a mano?

Meaning of 'Mano a Mano'

We define mano a mano as “in direct competition or conflict especially between two people.” The word comes from Spanish, in which it has the literal meaning of “hand to hand.” Mano a mano comes from bullfighting, describing a type of duel between two matadors.

Where is magnum opus from?

Magnum opus, which entered English in the 18th century, retains the original Latin spelling and the literal meaning "great work." Although the term most often refers to literary, musical, or artistic productions, it has been used to describe many kinds of great works, including games, construction projects, and even ...

What is the meaning ne plus ultra?

Definition of ne plus ultra

1 : the highest point capable of being attained : acme. 2 : the most profound degree of a quality or state.

Is cream of the crop a good thing?

The best or choicest of anything, as in The apples from this orchard are definitely the cream of the crop. The noun cream has been used to mean “the best” since the 16th century.

What is meaning of cream of society?

Cream is used in expressions such as the cream of society and the cream of British athletes to refer to the best people or things of a particular kind.

What is the meaning of last straw?

Definition of the final/last straw

: the last in a series of bad things that happen to make someone very upset, angry, etc. It had been a difficult week, so when the car broke down, it was the last straw.

What does icing on the cake mean?

Definition of icing on the cake

: something extra that makes a good thing even better The concert itself was great, and getting to meet the band afterward was (the) icing on the cake.

What does a second bite at the cherry mean?

[British] a second chance to do something, especially something that you failed at the first time. We might, if we push hard enough, get a second bite at the cherry in two years' time.

What is the meaning of no one's cup of tea?

If something is not your cup of tea, it is not the type of thing that you like: Thanks for inviting me, but ballet isn't really my cup of tea. Not liking. abhor. abide.