English · Work & Business
the cream of the crop
/ðə kriːm əv ðə krɒp/
[/ðə kriːm əv ðə krɒp/]
the very best
Intermediatephrase
Definition
The best people or things in a particular group.
Example
These graduates are the cream of the crop, hand-picked from thousands of talented applicants.
These graduates are the cream of the crop, hand-picked from thousands of talented applicants.
Etymology
Combines 'cream', the richest part of milk, with 'crop'; the phrase dates to the 19th century.
How & Where It’s Used
Common for praising the finest members of a group.