Sometimes we want to say something is the best, but in a more fun way. Instead of just saying “best,” people often use special phrases called idioms. These idioms make our speaking and writing more colorful. They help us show strong feelings without using the same word over and over. Learning these idioms can also make our stories and talks more exciting.
In this article, we will look at some idioms people use when they mean “the best.” We will learn what they mean and how to use them. We will also see how sometimes it takes practice to find the right words. By the end, you will know new ways to talk about something or someone that is really great.
Idioms for Best
1. Cream of the crop
Meaning: The very best of a group.
To Provide an Example: Anna’s cookies were the cream of the crop at the school bake sale. / Jake is the cream of the crop on the soccer team. / That pumpkin was the cream of the crop at the fair.
Alternative Meaning: The top choice / The finest one / The best example
2. Top of the line
Meaning: The highest quality.
To Provide an Example: Sam’s new bike is top of the line. / We got top of the line crayons for art class. / My brother’s tablet is top of the line.
Alternative Meaning: Best in its class / Best quality / Highest grade
3. Best of the bunch
Meaning: The very best one among many.
To Provide an Example: Emily’s drawing was the best of the bunch. / His lemonade stand was the best of the bunch at the fair. / Out of all the puppies, Max was the best of the bunch.
Alternative Meaning: Best pick / Favorite choice / Most special one
4. Second to none
Meaning: As good as it can get; no one is better.
To Provide an Example: His apple pie is second to none. / Our school’s band is second to none. / Grandma’s hugs are second to none.
Alternative Meaning: No equal / Number one / The very best
5. Head and shoulders above
Meaning: Much better than others.
To Provide an Example: Lily’s project was head and shoulders above the rest. / The new roller coaster was head and shoulders above the old ones. / His spelling skills are head and shoulders above the class.
Alternative Meaning: Much greater / Way better / Far ahead
6. A cut above
Meaning: Better than others.
To Provide an Example: His science project was a cut above the rest. / This pizza place is a cut above the others in town. / Her book report was a cut above what we expected.
Alternative Meaning: Higher quality / A step better / More special
7. Best thing since sliced bread
Meaning: A really great thing.
To Provide an Example: My new backpack is the best thing since sliced bread. / Dad said his new grill is the best thing since sliced bread. / These markers are the best thing since sliced bread for my drawings.
Alternative Meaning: Amazing new thing / Very exciting / Big improvement
8. Star of the show
Meaning: The most important or best part.
To Provide an Example: Mia’s dance was the star of the show. / The dog that did tricks was the star of the show. / His speech was the star of the show at the assembly.
Alternative Meaning: Main highlight / Top act / Big moment
9. On top of the world
Meaning: Feeling the best.
To Provide an Example: After winning the race, he felt on top of the world. / She was on top of the world after getting an A+. / Our team felt on top of the world after the big win.
Alternative Meaning: Very happy / Proud and joyful / Feeling amazing
10. Ace up your sleeve
Meaning: A secret advantage.
To Provide an Example: She had an ace up her sleeve for the spelling bee. / Dad had an ace up his sleeve for fixing the car. / I had an ace up my sleeve during the math test.
Alternative Meaning: Hidden help / Secret plan / Special trick
11. Out of this world
Meaning: Extremely good.
To Provide an Example: Grandma’s brownies are out of this world. / The fireworks show was out of this world. / That roller coaster was out of this world.
Alternative Meaning: Super amazing / Extra special / Really great
12. Home run
Meaning: A big success.
To Provide an Example: Her science fair project was a home run. / Dad’s new idea was a home run at work. / My birthday party was a home run.
Alternative Meaning: Huge win / Big success / Great job
13. Gold standard
Meaning: The very best example.
To Provide an Example: His painting is the gold standard for our class. / That pizza is the gold standard for taste. / Her kindness is the gold standard at school.
Alternative Meaning: Best model / Top level / Best example
14. Like a dream
Meaning: Very smooth and perfect.
To Provide an Example: The school play went like a dream. / The birthday party ran like a dream. / My new skateboard rides like a dream.
Alternative Meaning: Very easy / Very smooth / Almost perfect
15. Cherry on top
Meaning: Something that makes a good thing even better.
To Provide an Example: Winning a prize was the cherry on top of a fun day. / Having pizza for dinner was the cherry on top after soccer. / Ice cream after school was the cherry on top.
Alternative Meaning: Bonus gift / Extra treat / Special addition
16. Picture perfect
Meaning: Exactly right and beautiful.
To Provide an Example: Their family photo was picture perfect. / The sunny day was picture perfect for a picnic. / Her art project looked picture perfect.
Alternative Meaning: Very neat / Flawless / Looks just right
17. Knock it out of the park
Meaning: Do something very well.
To Provide an Example: You knocked it out of the park with that report. / She knocked it out of the park during the talent show. / We knocked it out of the park in the school play.
Alternative Meaning: Did amazing / Big success / Fantastic job
18. Number one
Meaning: The best.
To Provide an Example: Our team is number one! / He is number one in spelling. / That ice cream shop is number one.
Alternative Meaning: Top / Best choice / Champion
19. Best bet
Meaning: The safest or best choice.
To Provide an Example: Taking a jacket is your best bet today. / Studying hard is the best bet for the test. / Getting there early is the best bet.
Alternative Meaning: Smart choice / Safe pick / Good idea
20. Blue ribbon
Meaning: First place or best.
To Provide an Example: His jam won the blue ribbon at the fair. / I got the blue ribbon for my painting. / She won a blue ribbon for her pie.
Alternative Meaning: Top prize / First place / Winning award
21. Best in class
Meaning: Better than all others in a group.
To Provide an Example: That car is best in class for safety. / Her project was best in class. / My dog is best in class at training.
Alternative Meaning: Highest quality / Top-rated / Best one
22. Hot ticket
Meaning: Very popular or wanted.
To Provide an Example: The school concert was a hot ticket. / Tickets to the game were a hot ticket. / That toy is the hot ticket this year.
Alternative Meaning: Very popular / In high demand / Sought after
23. Light years ahead
Meaning: Far better or more advanced.
To Provide an Example: His reading skills are light years ahead. / This year’s video games are light years ahead. / The new library is light years ahead of the old one.
Alternative Meaning: Way ahead / Much better / Far advanced
24. Brightest star
Meaning: The best or most talented.
To Provide an Example: She is the brightest star on the team. / He was the brightest star at the show. / My cousin is the brightest star in the family.
Alternative Meaning: Top talent / Best performer / Most outstanding
25. Big cheese
Meaning: An important or best person.
To Provide an Example: The principal is the big cheese at school. / Grandpa is the big cheese at family BBQs. / Coach is the big cheese on the team.
Alternative Meaning: Top boss / Leader / Big deal
26. Prime example
Meaning: A very good example.
To Provide an Example: She is a prime example of hard work. / That game is a prime example of teamwork. / His project is a prime example of creativity.
Alternative Meaning: Perfect sample / Great model / Good example
27. Standing tall
Meaning: Being proud of doing your best.
To Provide an Example: He stood tall after finishing the race. / She stood tall after her speech. / Our class stood tall after winning the contest.
Alternative Meaning: Feeling proud / Confident / Brave
28. Top shelf
Meaning: Highest quality.
To Provide an Example: That restaurant is top shelf. / Grandma’s pies are top shelf. / My new shoes are top shelf.
Alternative Meaning: Best quality / Highest standard / Very fine
29. Gold medal
Meaning: First place, the very best.
To Provide an Example: She won the gold medal in swimming. / His cake got a gold medal at the fair. / The soccer team took the gold medal.
Alternative Meaning: Champion / Top prize / Best award
30. Best foot forward
Meaning: Trying your hardest.
To Provide an Example: She put her best foot forward during tryouts. / I put my best foot forward for the spelling bee. / They put their best foot forward in the parade.
Alternative Meaning: Best effort / Trying hard / Giving all
31. Above and beyond
Meaning: Doing more than expected.
To Provide an Example: He went above and beyond on his homework. / She went above and beyond in helping decorate. / The team went above and beyond in practice.
Alternative Meaning: Extra good / More effort / Doing extra
32. First-rate
Meaning: Excellent quality.
To Provide an Example: That museum is first-rate. / His speech was first-rate. / Their lemonade stand was first-rate.
Alternative Meaning: Top-notch / Very fine / Excellent
33. At the top of your game
Meaning: Doing your best.
To Provide an Example: She was at the top of her game in math. / He was at the top of his game on the field. / The band was at the top of their game.
Alternative Meaning: Performing best / Sharp and ready / On fire
34. King of the hill
Meaning: Being the best.
To Provide an Example: He was king of the hill after winning. / Our team was king of the hill this season. / She felt like king of the hill after the contest.
Alternative Meaning: Champion / Best position / Leader
35. The icing on the cake
Meaning: Something that makes a good thing even better.
To Provide an Example: Winning the raffle was the icing on the cake. / Getting a gift card was the icing on the cake. / A sunny day was the icing on the cake for our picnic.
Alternative Meaning: Extra treat / Special bonus / Nice surprise
36. Top-notch
Meaning: Very best quality.
To Provide an Example: That library is top-notch. / Their team is top-notch. / These crayons are top-notch.
Alternative Meaning: High quality / Really good / Excellent
37. Shining star
Meaning: Someone who stands out.
To Provide an Example: She is the shining star of the classroom. / That puppy is the shining star at the shelter. / He was the shining star at the spelling bee.
Alternative Meaning: Best performer / Big talent / Bright one
38. A real winner
Meaning: Someone or something that succeeds.
To Provide an Example: Her pumpkin pie is a real winner. / That new board game is a real winner. / His book report was a real winner.
Alternative Meaning: Big hit / Big success / Great choice
39. Top dog
Meaning: Leader or best.
To Provide an Example: She’s the top dog on the basketball team. / He’s the top dog in math class. / That car is top dog in speed.
Alternative Meaning: Best of all / Champion / Leader
40. Hit it big
Meaning: Become very successful.
To Provide an Example: She hit it big with her science project. / He hit it big at the art fair. / The team hit it big at the tournament.
Alternative Meaning: Great success / Big win / Big moment
41. Big time
Meaning: Very successful or important.
To Provide an Example: They made it big time after the contest. / She’s big time in gymnastics. / That restaurant made it big time.
Alternative Meaning: Huge success / Very famous / Really great
42. Bellwether
Meaning: Someone or something that shows what is best.
To Provide an Example: His project was a bellwether for the school. / The new playground was a bellwether of fun. / Her speech was a bellwether for future talks.
Alternative Meaning: Leader / First model / Trend setter
43. Leading light
Meaning: A very important or best person.
To Provide an Example: She’s a leading light in music class. / He’s the leading light on the chess team. / Our coach is a leading light in sports.
Alternative Meaning: Big help / Great leader / Bright guide
44. Silver bullet
Meaning: A simple and perfect solution.
To Provide an Example: Her idea was the silver bullet for our project. / The new rule was a silver bullet for the mess. / His advice was a silver bullet for the problem.
Alternative Meaning: Easy answer / Perfect fix / Magic solution
45. Great catch
Meaning: A very good find.
To Provide an Example: That book is a great catch. / His Halloween costume was a great catch. / Those shoes were a great catch on sale.
Alternative Meaning: Lucky find / Special pick / Great choice
46. First pick
Meaning: Chosen before all others.
To Provide an Example: She was the first pick for the team. / His idea was the first pick for the project. / The red balloon was my first pick.
Alternative Meaning: Top choice / Best selection / Favorite
47. Best shot
Meaning: Giving your best effort.
To Provide an Example: He gave his best shot at the contest. / She gave her best shot in the race. / We gave our best shot at the math quiz.
Alternative Meaning: Full effort / Trying hard / Doing your best
48. Showstopper
Meaning: Something so good it grabs attention.
To Provide an Example: Her singing was a showstopper. / That magic trick was a showstopper. / The fireworks were a showstopper.
Alternative Meaning: Main event / Amazing highlight / Big surprise
49. Smash hit
Meaning: Very popular and successful.
To Provide an Example: That new movie is a smash hit. / His song was a smash hit at the talent show. / The carnival was a smash hit.
Alternative Meaning: Big favorite / Popular success / Great show
50. Peak performance
Meaning: Best possible work.
To Provide an Example: She gave a peak performance in gymnastics. / Our band gave a peak performance at the concert. / He showed peak performance during the test.
Alternative Meaning: Best work / Top skill / Best level
Trials for Success: Idioms for Best
- Mrs. Carter’s apple pie was the __________ at the county fair.
- Josh felt __________ after winning the school spelling bee.
- The Fourth of July fireworks were __________ and made everyone cheer.
- Lily’s painting was __________ at the art show.
- Dad’s homemade pizza was a __________ for our family dinner.
- Winning the soccer game was the __________ to a great weekend.
- My new sneakers are __________ and feel so comfy!
- Our class play was a __________ and all the parents loved it.
- After practicing all summer, Mia’s singing was __________ during the talent show.
- Grandpa’s vegetable garden is the __________ in our neighborhood.
- The new playground at our school is __________ compared to the old one.
- Tommy’s science project was the __________ and won first prize.
- On her birthday, getting a surprise visit from her cousins was the __________.
- Mom said the new ice cream shop downtown is __________ for fun family nights.
- After finishing the race first, Ben was __________ among all the runners.
Answer Key
- cream of the crop
- on top of the world
- out of this world
- star of the show
- home run
- cherry on top
- top of the line
- smash hit
- peak performance
- gold standard
- light years ahead
- best of the bunch
- icing on the cake
- hot ticket
- king of the hill
Conclusion
Learning idioms for “best” can make your talking and writing stronger. They help you say big ideas in short, fun ways. You can use them when you want to show that something is really good or someone did a great job.
Now that you know many new idioms, you can pick the one that fits best. You might hear them at school, at home, or even on TV. Keep using them and you will sound even better when you speak or write.
