Quality Idioms

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cream of the crop

Meaning: Denotes the very best individuals or items in a group.

Example: The university's scholarship program attracts the cream of the crop from high schools nationwide. Read more ➺


run of the mill

Meaning: Not outstanding in quality or rarity; average, ordinary.

Example: The restaurant's food was run-of-the-mill, nothing extraordinary but still decent. Read more ➺


je ne sais quoi

Meaning: An extraordinary quality not easily defined, described or expressed.

Example: Despite his plain appearance, he has je ne sais quoi that draws everyone in. Read more ➺


X Factor

Meaning: A special quality that makes someone or something stand out, such as an amazing talent.

Example: Despite his quiet demeanor, the rookie had the X factor that turned the game around. Read more ➺


chef’s kiss

Meaning: An expression of perfection or high quality, often shown by kissing the fingertips.

Example: The final scene of the movie was chef's kiss — absolutely flawless. Read more ➺


can’t hold a candle to

Meaning: shows inferiority by comparison; used when one thing is considered much less impressive or competent than another.

Example: Sarah is an excellent chef, but her cooking can't hold a candle to her mother's. Read more ➺


gilt-edged

Meaning: describes an investment or asset that is considered to be of the highest quality and very secure, often used in the context of government bonds.

Example: The company's gilt-edged bonds are highly sought after by conservative investors. Read more ➺


bush league

Meaning: describes something that is substandard, unprofessional, or lacking in sophistication.

Example: The company's presentation was so bush-league that the clients left halfway through. Read more ➺


second to none

Meaning: better than all others of the same kind.

Example: His hamburger, rich in flavor and delicate in texture, is second to none in the city. Read more ➺


buy a lemon

Meaning: to purchase something, typically a vehicle, that is found to be defective or unsatisfactory after the purchase.

Example: After only a week, the car started having engine problems, and I realized I had bought a lemon. Read more ➺


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