instant classic
Born already legendary
Something called an instant classic achieves widespread recognition and admiration immediately upon release, rather than requiring time to prove its worth.
The phrase applies to creative works, performances, or moments that seem destined for lasting cultural significance: The album was an instant classic, That game will go down as an instant classic.
The term carries slight hyperbole—true classic status typically requires the test of time.
- timelessUnaffected by eras
- masterpieceSupreme artistic achievement
- iconicWidely recognized, enduring
- legendaryFamous beyond ordinary measure
- hitSuccessful contact or strike
all-time great · breakthrough · landmark · game-changer · unforgettable · phenomenon · sensation · banger · word of mouth · sleeper · cult · beloved · fan favorite · definitive · critical darling · groundbreaking · seminal · stood the test
- excellenceexcellence, greatness, superior, perfection, premium
- oxymoronsbittersweet, deafening silence, pretty ugly, living dead, act naturally
instant classicacquired taste
Liking developed over time
sleeper hit · grower · late bloomer · cult favorite · hidden gem
instant classicflash in the pan
Short-lived success
forgettable · disposable · one-hit wonder · fad · passing fancy
instant classicflop
Complete commercial failure
dead on arrival · bomb · critical failure · stillborn · misfire
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