cream of the crop: Idiom Meaning and Origin
What does ‘cream of the crop’ mean?
The idiom "cream of the crop" refers to the best or highest quality of a group or selection, often used to describe top individuals or things.
Idiom Explorer
The idiom "king of birds" refers to the bird that is considered the most powerful, dominant, or superior among other birds.
An idiom meaning an individual or thing that is the most impressive or influential among others in a given field or situation.
The idiom "in the lead" means to be in a leading or winning position, often in a competition or race.
The idiom "hot stuff" is used to describe someone or something that is outstanding, remarkable, or highly skilled.
The idiom "high cotton" refers to a situation of great success, prosperity or abundance. It is often used to describe someone who is doing very well in terms of wealth, status or achievements.
The idiom "have the biscuit" means to achieve the highest level of excellence or to be the best at something. It is often used to describe someone who surpasses the expectations of others or outshines their competition.
The idiom "grass tops" refers to the highest level or upper echelons of a particular group or organization, typically consisting of influential or powerful individuals. It symbolizes the idea of reaching the top or pinnacle of success within a specific field or domain.
The idiom "front runner" refers to a person, team, or idea that is in the lead or is considered the most likely to win or succeed in a competition or race.
Finest Selection
The idiom "cream the crop" is closely related to "cream of the crop." It is a variation of the same idiom and is used to describe the act of selecting or picking out the best individuals or items from a larger group. Just like "cream of the crop," this phrase emphasizes the topmost quality or excellence of the selected individuals or items. The use of "cream" in both idioms reinforces the notion that the selected individuals or items are of the highest caliber. The term "cream the crop" is less commonly used than "cream of the crop," but it carries the same connotation of excellence and superiority.
Another related idiom is "crème de la crème," which is of French origin. It literally translates to "cream of the cream" and is used to refer to the absolute best or the highest quality of something. This idiom echoes the concept behind "cream of the crop," emphasizing the topmost excellence or superiority. While both idioms convey a similar meaning, "crème de la crème" is considered more sophisticated due to its French origin and the use of "crème" twice in the phrase.
Similarly, the idiom "best of the bunch" shares a common theme with "cream of the crop." It is used to describe the best or highest-quality individuals or items among a larger group. While "cream of the crop" has a more widely recognized and established usage, "best of the bunch" provides a slightly different phrasing to convey the same meaning. Both idioms highlight the exceptional nature of the selected individuals or items, emphasizing their superior quality or performance.
The idiom "cream of the crop" is a well-known phrase that signifies the best or finest individuals or items in a particular group. Derived from the metaphorical usage of "cream" to represent the highest quality, this idiom has been widely used in English for many years. It is closely related to idioms such as "cream the crop," which describes the act of selecting the best from a larger group, "crème de la crème," which emphasizes the absolute topmost excellence, and "best of the bunch," which highlights the superior quality or performance among a larger group. These idioms serve as powerful expressions to convey the concept of excellence and superiority in various contexts.
Example usage
Examples of how the idiom "cream of the crop" can be used in a sentence:
- She was the best student in the class, always achieving the highest grades and standing out as the cream of the crop.
- The new restaurant in town has received rave reviews from food critics, being considered the cream of the crop in terms of fine dining options.
- After months of auditions, they finally selected the cream of the crop to be part of their orchestra, ensuring the highest level of musical talent.
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