Definition

Noun: - An independent and exclusive commission of nonpartisan statesmen and experts formed to investigate some important governmental issue: A "blue ribbon committee" is a special, high-level group appointed to study a complex or critical problem. Its members are chosen for their distinguished reputations, expertise, and impartiality, with the goal of providing authoritative findings and recommendations.

Usage

• The term is used to describe a formal investigative or advisory body, typically established by a government, legislature, or major organization.
• It emphasizes the prestige, independence, and nonpartisan nature of the group, suggesting its conclusions should carry significant weight.
• It often implies the issue under investigation is of great public importance and requires an unbiased, expert perspective.

Examples

• The governor appointed a blue ribbon committee to investigate the causes of the infrastructure failure.
• The findings of the blue ribbon committee on educational reform were presented to parliament.
• To address the crisis, they formed a blue ribbon committee comprising former judges, academics, and industry leaders.

Advanced Usage

• The phrase can sometimes be used with slight skepticism or irony to question whether a committee, despite its prestigious label, will produce meaningful results or is merely for show.
  • Critics argued the new blue ribbon committee was just a political maneuver to delay action.

Variants and Related Words

• Blue-ribbon panel: A very common synonym with identical meaning.
• Task force: A group formed for a specific task, but it may not carry the same connotation of exclusive prestige and nonpartisan statesmanship as a "blue ribbon committee."
• Commission: A broader term for a group with official authority; a "blue ribbon committee" is a specific type of commission.
• Committee of inquiry: A more formal and generic term for an investigative group.

Synonyms

• Blue-ribbon panel
• High-level commission
• Independent commission
• Expert panel

Related Idioms

• Blue ribbon: Used as an adjective to denote the highest quality or first prize (e.g., a award, a jury). This idiom is the source of the term "blue ribbon committee," implying it is composed of the best available people.

Noun

1. an independent and exclusive commission of nonpartisan statesmen and experts formed to investigate some important governmental issue