top-drawer
Adjective - Of the highest quality, rank, or social standing: "top-drawer" describes something or someone that is first-class, elite, or belonging to the upper echelons of society or excellence.
- (The service is of the highest quality.)
- (The family is of high social standing.)
- (The wines are of superior quality.)
"to be top-drawer": to be considered among the best or most prestigious in a particular category.
- His research is top-drawer and has been cited by leading scientists. (His work is of the highest academic standard.)
"top-drawer material": content or items that are exceptionally good.
- The museum's collection includes top-drawer material from the Renaissance. (The collection contains outstanding pieces.)
Top-drawer (noun phrase, informal): the highest social class or level of excellence.
- She was born into the top-drawer of British society. (She was born into the upper class.)
Drawer (n): a sliding compartment in furniture; not directly related, but the idiom derives from the idea of a "top drawer" in a dresser being used for keeping valuable items.
- First-rate: of the highest quality.
- First-class: belonging to the best category.
- A-list: belonging to the most famous or prestigious group.
- Elite: the best or most powerful members of a group.
- Top-drawer (idiom): originating from the phrase "out of the top drawer," meaning of the highest quality or social standing.
- That restaurant is out of the top drawer — you’ll love it. (It is exceptionally good.)
The term "top-drawer" is chiefly British in origin, dating from the early 20th century. It comes from the idea that in a traditional chest of drawers, the top drawer is where people kept their most valuable or best items, such as jewelry or fine clothes. Over time, it came to describe anything or anyone of superior quality or status.