Hey there, language lovers! Idioms are like the secret sauce of any language; they add flavor, personality, and a dash of fun to your conversations. If you’re looking to describe something as “great” but want to ditch the overused adjective, you’re in for a treat.
Below, I’ve rounded up 29 unique idioms that mean “great” or convey a similar vibe of awesomeness, excellence, or excitement. For each one, I’ll break down its meaning, give you an example sentence, and share alternative ways to say it. Plus, at the end, you’ll find a quiz to test your idiom know-how. Let’s dive in!
29 Idioms for Great
1. The Bee’s Knees
Meaning: Something outstanding, excellent, or the best of its kind. This quirky phrase from the 1920s jazz era suggests something is as special as the pollen-collecting “knees” of a bee.
Example: That new coffee shop downtown is the bee’s knees, their lattes are out of this world!
Alternative Ways to Say It: The cat’s pajamas, top-notch, fantastic, stellar.
2. The Cat’s Meow
Meaning: Similar to “the bee’s knees,” this means something is highly impressive or stylish, also rooted in 1920s slang.
Example: Her vintage dress was the cat’s meow at the party last night.
Alternative Ways to Say It: The bee’s knees, fabulous, amazing, first-rate.
3. Top Banana
Meaning: The best or most important person or thing in a group, originating from vaudeville where the star performer was the “top banana.”
Example: Sarah’s presentation was the top banana at the conference, everyone was raving about it!
Alternative Ways to Say It: Cream of the crop, head honcho, the best, number one.
4. Cream of the Crop
Meaning: The very best of a group or selection, like the richest cream rising to the top during milking.
Example: These students are the cream of the crop; they aced every test this semester.
Alternative Ways to Say It: The best of the best, top-tier, elite, prime.
5. The Whole Nine Yards
Meaning: Everything possible or the full extent of something, often used to describe going all out. Its origins are debated, possibly from WWII machine gun belts.
Example: They went the whole nine yards for their wedding; live band, fireworks, and all!
Alternative Ways to Say It: The full monty, all in, everything but the kitchen sink, full throttle.
6. On Cloud Nine
Meaning: Feeling extreme happiness or bliss, as if floating high above the ground.
Example: When she got the job offer, she was on cloud nine for days.
Alternative Ways to Say It: Over the moon, thrilled, ecstatic, in seventh heaven.
7. In Seventh Heaven
Meaning: A state of pure joy or delight, derived from religious ideas of the highest level of heaven.
Example: Winning the championship put the team in seventh heaven.
Alternative Ways to Say It: On cloud nine, overjoyed, elated, on top of the world.
8. Over the Moon
Meaning: Extremely happy or excited, inspired by the nursery rhyme “Hey Diddle Diddle.”
Example: He was over the moon when his book got published.
Alternative Ways to Say It: Thrilled to bits, on cloud nine, delighted, ecstatic.
9. A Cut Above
Meaning: Superior to others, standing out due to higher quality or excellence.
Example: Their customer service is a cut above the rest, always so friendly!
Alternative Ways to Say It: Head and shoulders above, superior, top-notch, exceptional.
10. Head and Shoulders Above
Meaning: Significantly better than others, as if standing taller.
Example: Her skills as a chef are head and shoulders above her competitors.
Alternative Ways to Say It: A cut above, miles ahead, superior, outstanding.
11. The Cream of the Pudding
Meaning: The best or most desirable part of something, similar to “cream of the crop” but less common.
Example: That song is the cream of the pudding on their new album.
Alternative Ways to Say It: The best part, the cherry on top, prime, top-tier.
12. Tickled Pink
Meaning: Extremely pleased or delighted, often with a sense of amusement.
Example: She was tickled pink when her friends threw her a surprise party.
Alternative Ways to Say It: Over the moon, delighted, thrilled, chuffed to bits.
13. Chuffed to Bits
Meaning: Very pleased or proud, a British slang term for being delighted.
Example: He was chuffed to bits when his painting won first prize.
Alternative Ways to Say It: Tickled pink, thrilled, overjoyed, ecstatic.
14. The Cat’s Whiskers
Meaning: Another 1920s slang term meaning something exceptional or outstanding.
Example: That new gaming console is the cat’s whiskers; such cool features!
Alternative Ways to Say It: The bee’s knees, top-notch, fantastic, awesome.
15. Out of This World
Meaning: Exceptionally good or impressive, as if it belongs to another planet.
Example: The dessert at that restaurant was out of this world; pure bliss!
Alternative Ways to Say It: Phenomenal, extraordinary, amazing, stellar.
16. Top Drawer
Meaning: Of the highest quality or social standing, like items kept in the top drawer of a dresser.
Example: Their new software is top drawer; it’s so user-friendly.
Alternative Ways to Say It: First-class, high-quality, excellent, premium.
17. First-Rate
Meaning: Of the best quality or highest standard, often used formally.
Example: The hotel’s service was first-rate; they made us feel like royalty.
Alternative Ways to Say It: Top-notch, excellent, superb, outstanding.
18. The Real McCoy
Meaning: The genuine or best version of something, not a fake or imitation.
Example: This whiskey is the real McCoy; smooth and authentic.
Alternative Ways to Say It: The genuine article, the real deal, authentic, top-quality.
19. The Real Deal
Meaning: Something or someone authentic and of high quality, not a substitute.
Example: She’s the real deal when it comes to public speaking; captivating!
Alternative Ways to Say It: The real McCoy, genuine, authentic, top-notch.
20. On Top of the World
Meaning: Feeling extremely happy or successful, as if you’re standing at the highest point.
Example: After landing the promotion, he felt on top of the world.
Alternative Ways to Say It: In seventh heaven, over the moon, thrilled, elated.
21. The Cherry on Top
Meaning: Something that makes an already good situation even better, like the final touch.
Example: The raise was great, but the extra vacation days were the cherry on top.
Alternative Ways to Say It: The icing on the cake, the finishing touch, bonus, extra perk.
22. The Icing on the Cake
Meaning: An additional benefit that enhances something already good.
Example: Winning the game was amazing, but the trophy was the icing on the cake.
Alternative Ways to Say It: The cherry on top, the final touch, added bonus, extra treat.
23. A-OK
Meaning: Perfectly fine or excellent, often used to confirm something is great.
Example: The project turned out A-OK; our boss loved it!
Alternative Ways to Say It: All good, perfect, spot-on, excellent.
24. Tip-Top
Meaning: In excellent condition or of the highest quality.
Example: After the renovation, the house is in tip-top shape.
Alternative Ways to Say It: Top-notch, first-rate, perfect, pristine.
25. Second to None
Meaning: The best, with nothing surpassing it.
Example: Their pizza is second to none; you won’t find better anywhere.
Alternative Ways to Say It: Unmatched, unparalleled, the best, top-tier.
26. Crème de la Crème
Meaning: The very best of the best, from the French term for “cream of the cream.”
Example: This art gallery showcases the crème de la crème of modern artists.
Alternative Ways to Say It: The best of the best, elite, top-tier, cream of the crop.
27. Peachy Keen
Meaning: Wonderful or excellent, often with a cheerful or lighthearted tone.
Example: Everything’s peachy keen now that we’ve sorted out the schedule.
Alternative Ways to Say It: Hunky-dory, great, fantastic, all good.
28. Hunky-Dory
Meaning: Everything is fine, satisfactory, or great, often used casually.
Example: After the quick fix, the car’s running hunky-dory again.
Alternative Ways to Say It: Peachy keen, all good, fantastic, smooth sailing.
29. Smooth Sailing
Meaning: Going well without any problems, like a ship sailing on calm waters.
Example: The event went off without a hitch, smooth sailing all the way!
Alternative Ways to Say It: Plain sailing, easy peasy, effortless, all good.
Why Use Idioms?
Idioms like these add color and personality to your speech or writing. They’re a fantastic way to sound more natural, connect with native speakers, and make your conversations more engaging. However, use them wisely, some idioms (like “the bee’s knees”) might sound playful or dated in formal settings, so context is key. Try practicing these in casual conversations or writing to get a feel for them!
Idioms for “Great” Quiz
Question 1 of 15