crème de la crème

American  

[krem duh lah krem, krem duh la krem] / ˈkrɛm də lɑ ˈkrɛm, krɛm də la ˈkrɛm /

noun

1. the very best; choicest parts or members.

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crème de la crème British  

/ krɛm də la krɛm /

noun

1. the very best

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crème de la crème Cultural  

1. The best of the best: “Our school's marching band is acknowledged as the crème de la crème.” From French, meaning “cream of the cream.”

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Etymology

Origin of crème de la crème

First recorded in 1840–50; literally, cream of the cream

Example Sentences

The 17 songs contained in this package represent the crème de la crème of superior American songs, nearly all of which were written for works of musical theater and film.

From The Wall Street Journal

Bergdorf Goodman is considered the crème de la crème of department stores.

From The Wall Street Journal

The first Ozzfest was a mere two dates — one in Arizona, one in California — but like subsequent touring Ozzfest’s, it featured the crème de la crème of metal, both chart-toppers and newcomers divided between two stages.

From Los Angeles Times

A nursing boss has told a public inquiry she never had any evidence of wrongdoing by "creme de la creme" nurse Lucy Letby.

From BBC

She told police: "I wanted her on the unit, I really did. When students come through the system you are almost able to hand-pick the creme de la creme and she was one of those."

From BBC