cream of the crop
The best of a particular group or set
English · UK & Ireland 1488
All languages English Tiếng Việt
Where will you be? Anywhere UK & IrelandUnited StatesOnline slangBusiness jargon
Expressions you’ll hear in Britain and Ireland — distinctly British usage first, then widespread staples.
cream rises to the top
Talent and quality are eventually recognized
cream the crop
The best of something
creature comfort
Things that bring physical comfort and pleasure
creature feature
a movie featuring monsters or supernatural creatures
creature of statute
An entity created by law or statute
creature of the night
A person who is most active at night
crescent spanner
a flexible and adjustable wrench
crime and punishment
A fixed-order word pair (irreversible binomial); full definition pending editorial review.
crime does not pay
Engaging in illegal activities will ultimately result in negative consequences.
criss-cross, applesauce
Traditional English proverbial phrase; full definition pending editorial review.
crock of gold
a valuable or desirable thing
crocodile tear
A false or insincere tear
crony capitalism
Economic system where success is based on connections and favors
crop up
To appear or happen unexpectedly
cross my heart and hope to die
Recognized English idiom; full definition pending editorial review.
cross of gold
A symbol of wealth or materialism that is revered or worshiped
cross off
Remove or eliminate something from a list
cross out
To delete or cancel something
cross paths
Meet or encounter someone by chance
cross someone's palm
to pay or bribe someone
cross someone's path
Recognized English idiom; full definition pending editorial review.
cross that bridge when one comes to it
Recognized English idiom; full definition pending editorial review.
cross the aisle
To cooperate or form an alliance with someone from a different political party
cross the line
to go beyond what is acceptable or reasonable
cross the stream where it is shallowest
Act where it is easiest or safest
cross the Thames
to attend a meeting or event in a different part of a city
cross the Tiber
To convert to Catholicism
cross to take up
to accept a challenge
crow to pick
a dispute or issue to be settled
crow to pluck
to have a dispute or issue to resolve
crow to pull
Recognized English idiom; full definition pending editorial review.
crowd in on
To surround or press in on someone closely
crowd sail
Recognized English idiom; full definition pending editorial review.
cruel mistress
Something that is attractive but also punishing or unkind
crunch numbers
to calculate or analyze data, especially financial information
crush it
Recognized English idiom; full definition pending editorial review.
cry all the way to the bank
Recognized English idiom; full definition pending editorial review.
cry cupboard
Recognized English idiom; full definition pending editorial review.
cry down
to criticize or express strong disapproval of something
cry for help
Recognized English idiom; full definition pending editorial review.
cry in one's beer
to feel sorry for oneself
cry one's eyes out
To cry extremely intensely
cry oneself to sleep
To cry until one falls asleep
cry someone a river
to feel intense sorrow or sadness for someone
cry the blues
to complain or express sadness about something
cry wolf
To raise a false alarm or make a false claim
crying shame
A situation that is very disappointing or unfair
crystal clear
Completely understandable or transparent
crystal dick
a person, usually male, who is extremely fragile or sensitive
crème de la crème
The best or most skilled people in a particular field
cue up
Prepare something to start or happen
culture hero
A person who inspires and represents the values of a culture
cum grano salis
with a grain of salt, skeptically
cup and saucer
a perfectly matched pair
cup of joe
Recognized English idiom; full definition pending editorial review.
cup of tea
Something one enjoys or finds appealing
Cupid and Psyche
A fixed-order word pair (irreversible binomial); full definition pending editorial review.
curate's egg
Something that is partly good and partly bad
curb appeal
Recognized English idiom; full definition pending editorial review.
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