upper crust
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Noun:
- The highest social class: The group of people who hold the most wealth, power, and prestige in a society; the aristocracy or elite.
Usage
- The term "upper crust" is used to refer collectively to the most privileged and influential members of society. It often implies old money, inherited status, and exclusive social circles.
- It is typically used in a descriptive or sometimes slightly informal or ironic context.
Examples
- Noun:
- The charity gala was attended only by the city's upper crust.
- He was born into the upper crust but chose a life of public service.
Advanced Usage
- "the upper crust of [something]": Used to denote the most elite or successful part of a specific group or field, not just general society.
- She quickly rose to become part of the upper crust of the legal profession.
Variants and Related Words
- Upper-class (adj): Belonging to or characteristic of the social elite.
- They lived in an upper-class neighborhood.
- Elite (n): A select group that is superior in terms of ability, qualities, wealth, or social status. (This is a more general synonym.)
- Aristocracy (n): The highest class in certain societies, typically comprising people of noble birth holding hereditary titles. (This is a more formal and specific term.)
Synonyms
- The elite
- High society
- The aristocracy
- The gentry
- The privileged class
Idioms
- Upper crust itself functions as an idiomatic noun phrase.
Noun
- the class occupying the highest position in the social hierarchy