top drawer

noun

1. the highest level in rank, excellence, or importance:

   a musician strictly out of the top drawer.

top drawer

noun

1. people of the highest standing, esp socially (esp in the phrase out of the top drawer )

Other Words From

• top-drawer adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of top drawer¹

First recorded in 1900–05

Idioms and Phrases

Of the highest quality, importance, or rank, as in The musicians in this pick-up orchestra were top drawer . It probably alludes to the uppermost drawer in a bureau or chest, where the most valuable objects (such as jewelry) are usually kept. [c. 1900]

Example Sentences

Like all top-drawer authors, García Márquez possesses magnificent authority.

From The Daily Beast

As he fell under the seat, he told his wife, “G'bye, honey, the policies are in the top drawer.”

From The Daily Beast

Dreier was a Yale and Harvard law graduate and a staple of top-drawer charity galas.

From The Daily Beast

Isis it positive that the papers were put in 100 that top drawer that Miss Carrington now has open?

From Project Gutenberg

"Show me the top drawer of his cabinet, dear," said the Witch.

From Project Gutenberg

The combination of the safe is in that top drawer, on a slip of paper.

From Project Gutenberg

And she popped them into the top drawer on the right-hand side of her desk.

From Project Gutenberg

He opened the top drawer of his desk, took out a little slip of paper that helped refresh his memory, and approached the safe.

From Project Gutenberg