the cream of the crop
Meaning
The very best people or things in a particular group; the top-quality selection.
Origin
From agriculture: the “cream” is the richest top layer of milk, and the “crop” is the harvested produce. The phrase metaphorically combines both ideas to mean the finest part of what’s available.
Notes
Often complimentary and slightly formal. Used for selected top performers or highest-quality items, implying comparison within a larger group.
Examples
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After months of auditions, the director chose the cream of the crop for the lead roles.
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This scholarship is reserved for the cream of the crop, so the competition is intense.
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Our company recruits the cream of the crop from top universities every year.
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She trained with the cream of the crop in her sport, and it pushed her to improve fast.
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Only the cream of the crop made it to the final round of the cooking contest.
Grammar & Usage Notes
Usually used as a noun phrase with “the”: “the cream of the crop.” Can appear as complement (“They’re the cream of the crop”) or object (“Hire the cream of the crop”). Rarely pluralized.
Synonyms
- the best of the best
- the pick of the bunch
- top-notch
- the finest
- the crème de la crème
Antonyms
- the dregs
- the worst of the bunch