top drawer


noun

the highest level in rank, excellence, or importance: a musician strictly out of the top drawer.

Origin of top drawer

First recorded in 1900–05

OTHER WORDS FROM top drawer

top-drawer, adjective

Example sentences from the Web for top-drawer

British Dictionary definitions for top-drawer

top drawer

noun

people of the highest standing, esp socially (esp in the phrase out of the top drawer)

Idioms and Phrases with top-drawer

top drawer

Of the highest quality, importance, or rank, as in The musicians in this pick-up orchestra were top drawer. It probably alludes to the uppermost drawer in a bureau or chest, where the most valuable objects (such as jewelry) are usually kept. [c. 1900]