best of the best
Cream of crop
The best of the best is the elite among an already select group—those who stand out even when everyone around them is excellent.
The phrase emphasizes superlative quality through redundancy: Only the best of the best make it through Navy SEAL training.
Often used for competitive fields where mere excellence isn't enough.
- first placeWinning position
- top-notchOf superior quality
- world classOf the highest caliber
- championTop competitor, or advocate
- victorOne who defeats opponents
gold · peak · triumph · apex · paragon · perfection · crème de la crème · unparalleled · exceptional · nonpareil · outstanding · unmatched · cream of the crop · pick of the litter · standout · elite · A list · ne plus ultra
- superlativesexcellent, superb, outstanding, supreme, finest
- Excellence Termscream of the crop, top notch, gold standard, crème de la crème, top tier
- success idiomshit the jackpot, strike gold, make it, rags to riches, come out on top
best of the bestbottom of the barrel
Worst of what remains
absolute worst · the pits · lowest of the low · rock bottom · substandard
best of the bestdead last
Finishing behind all others
bottom rung · last place · bottom dweller · cellar dweller · also-ran
best, better, betterment, bested, bettering, bettered, bests, betters