top drawer

American  

noun

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

   a musician strictly out of the top drawer.

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top drawer British  

noun

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

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top drawer Idioms  

1. 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]

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Other Word Forms

• top-drawer
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of top drawer

First recorded in 1900–05

Example Sentences

Leclerc's victory was out of the top drawer and underlined his quality as one of the leading lights of the new generation.

From BBC • Mar. 20, 2022

The writing is top drawer, and the text is experimental to profitable effect, which I’m afraid is rather rare.

From The Guardian • Jun. 5, 2020

In the top drawer, he stores a stack of outstanding medical bills related to years of heart trouble.

From Washington Times • Feb. 15, 2020

The 44-year-old English teacher keeps a tube of Cucumber Melon body cream in the top drawer of his desk, tucked between Sharpies and masking tape.

From Seattle Times • Jan. 20, 2020

Mr. Quisling put The Gold-Bug in his top drawer and returned to his grading.

From "Book Scavenger" by Jennifer Chambliss Bertman