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

See Examples For:

top drawer

Keep your rental paperwork in your top drawer.

From MarketWatch ● Jul. 21, 2026

If you work out in the morning, put exercise clothes in the top drawer of your dresser or on the rod closest to your closet door.

From Seattle Times ● Feb. 27, 2024

Southgate said: "Jordan has been outstanding. He's such a leader. He knits the team together and around the camp he's brilliant. His performances have been top drawer."

From BBC ● Dec. 4, 2022

The night before, Ms. Reardon said, “I sat in bed and wrote a list of attributes my ‘dream guy’ would have and tucked it away in my top drawer.

From New York Times ● Nov. 19, 2021

I open the top drawer of the lab station, and sure enough, there’s a flint lighter.

From "The Last Cuentista" by Donna Barba Higuera