cream-of-the-crop
Top-tier selection
The cream of the crop is the best of a group—the most talented, valuable, or desirable portion.
Cream rises to the top of milk; the finest examples rise above the rest: Only the cream of the crop get accepted into the program.
The phrase emphasizes superiority through selection or natural distinction.
Highest in quality
- top-tierOf highest quality
- finestSuperlative in quality
- pickPointed breaking tool
- selectionChosen item or items
excellence · superior · premium · chosen · standout · first-rate · exceptional · outstanding
Gifted youth with rare talent
- virtuosoSupremely accomplished performer
- starLuminous astronomical object
- geniusPerson of rare brilliance
- aceSingle-pip card
champion · valedictorian · scholar · maestro · luminary · whiz · savant · overachiever
Produce or relinquish
- produceMake or manufacture
- bountyReward for capture
- pickingsItems available to take
- vintageQuality from past eras
prize · ripe · quality · organic · heirloom · artisanal · fresh · bushel
Person seeking selection
- applicantOne who formally requests
- prospectPotential client or opportunity
- hireTake on for work
- recruitNew member sought
shortlist · headhunt · talent pool · draft pick · scholarship · top choice · finalist · offer
best
Highest in quality
selection · excellence · superior · premium · chosen · standout · first-rate · exceptional · outstanding · crème de la crème
prodigy
Gifted youth with rare talent
- virtuosoSupremely accomplished performer
- starLuminous astronomical object
- geniusPerson of rare brilliance
ace · champion · valedictorian · scholar · maestro · luminary · whiz · savant · overachiever · wunderkind
yield
Produce or relinquish
vintage · prize · ripe · quality · organic · heirloom · artisanal · fresh · bushel · orchard
candidate
Person seeking selection
recruit · shortlist · headhunt · talent pool · draft pick · scholarship · top choice · finalist · offer · competitive
cream-of-the-cropdregs
Residue at bottom
bottom of the barrel · scum · riffraff · dross · chaff
cream-of-the-cropriffraff
Disreputable or undesirable people
rabble · hoi polloi · underclass · lowlifes · nobodies
cream, crop, creams, creamy, creamier, creamiest, creaminess, creamed, creaming