the cream of the crop

Register · Neutral Neutral — appropriate in most situations, both spoken and written, without sounding too casual or too stiff. CEFR B2

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Figurative meaning

The very best people or things in a group.

Why this phrase?

Cream rises to the top of milk and is the richest part.

Example

“These finalists are the cream of the crop.”

Dictionary details

Tags

Expressions connected by reviewed component words or topic tags.

the icing on the cake Neutral · CEFR B1

An extra good thing that makes a good situation even better.

a piece of cake Informal · CEFR A2

Something that is very easy to do.

so far so good Informal · CEFR A2

used to say that things have gone well up to now

alive and kicking Neutral · CEFR B1

still healthy, active, or functioning despite age or difficulty

do the trick Informal · CEFR B1

to achieve the desired result or solve a problem

go the extra mile Neutral · CEFR B1

To make more effort than is expected or required.

Source methodology

Meanings, register, CEFR, and examples come from the reviewed dictionary record. Expression notes may describe a reviewed present-day word picture or a background note; they are not presented as verified etymology.

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