Idiom
top drawer
Meanings
Of the highest quality; excellent; first-rate.
Definition
If something is top drawer, it is of the highest quality or class.
Top drawer is an idiom meaning excellent and of very high quality. It is often used to praise people, work, performance, products, or services. It suggests something is among the best you can get.
Examples
- Her work on the project was top drawer.
- That restaurant is top drawer, even by London standards.
- The team delivered a top drawer performance in the final.
- He gave us top drawer service from start to finish.
- This is top drawer craftsmanship—you can feel the difference.
Common mistake
Learners sometimes use top drawer to mean the highest physical drawer, but it usually means “excellent” in everyday speech.
More at B2 level
- Bob's your uncle Used to say that something will be easy or will happen exactly as expected after a simple step.
- touch base To touch base means to briefly contact someone to share updates, confirm plans, or check progress.
- ballpark figure A ballpark figure is an approximate number or estimate, not an exact one.
- take the mickey To take the mickey means to mock someone or tease them in an unkind or cheeky way.
- cheap as chips Very cheap; costing very little money.
More idiom (adjective phrase)s
- cheap as chips Very cheap; costing very little money.
- chuffed to bits Very pleased and proud about something.
- easy as pie Used to say that something is very easy to do or understand.
- right as rain Completely well again, or in perfect condition.
- thick as two short planks Extremely stupid or slow to understand.