best of the bunch
Finest of all
Best of the bunch means the finest or most desirable among a group.
The bunch is any collection being compared—candidates, options, samples, siblings: We interviewed six applicants, and she was clearly the best of the bunch.
The phrase implies selection after comparison, suggesting the others were also considered but found wanting.
- topUppermost part or surface
- top tierHighest rank possible
- superiorHigher in rank
- incomparableWithout equal or rival
- firstPosition number one
head of the class · first among equals · select · peerless · outstanding · pick · preeminent · star · unparalleled · frontrunner · exceptional · standout · prime · winner · champion · ace · crème de la crème · top-notch
best of the bunchbottom of the barrel
Worst of what remains
runt of the litter · weakest link · dregs · lowest of the low · last place
best of the bunchrun of the mill
Unexceptionally standard or typical
average · mediocre · nothing special · garden variety · middling