Phrase Finder

Idioms · 9 entries

Excellence

What does "Excellence" mean?

To be so prized and valuable as to not be obtainable by money.

Beyond price

Britain, 16th century.

On the ball

USA. Deriving from the expression ‘keep your eye on the ball’.

Out of sight

USA, 19th century coinage before being re-used in the 1960s.

Peachy keen

USA, mid-20th century.

Perfect pitch

Britain, 1920s. Deriving from the earlier ‘absolute pitch’, which is known from the 1880s.

The best of both worlds

Britain, 19th century.

The best thing since sliced bread

Britain, 20th century.

The glorious twelfth

The icing on the cake

USA, late 19th century.

Entry 1

Beyond price

Meaning To be so prized and valuable as to not be obtainable by money.

Usage Worldwide.

Example

  • Getting in to the school hall for the annual nativity play cost us $5 but seeing little Angie in the lead role was beyond price.

Pronunciation

Entry 2

On the ball

Meaning With a good understanding of a situation and a readiness to act.

Usage Worldwide.

Example

  • I gave him the predicted profits and he immediately knew they were wrong and sold the stock. He was really on the ball financially.

Pronunciation

Entry 3

Out of sight

Meaning Still used with its literal meaning of 'beyond the range of sight' but more commonly used in its hippie-era meaning of 'excellent; extraordinary'.

Usage Worldwide.

Example

  • The other runners were good, but Usian Bolt was out of sight.

Pronunciation

Entry 4

Peachy keen

Meaning Excellent; wonderful.

Usage Mostly USA.

Example

  • Wow, that 20-year old whiskey is peachy keen..

Pronunciation

Entry 5

Perfect pitch

Meaning The ability to determine a musical note by ear.

Usage Worldwide.

Example

  • He knew that the cars engine was humming a D sharp just by listening - he has perfect pitch.

Pronunciation

Entry 6

The best of both worlds

Meaning The benefits available from two apparently conflicting options.

Usage Worldwide.

Example

  • I went on a sailing holiday and got to stay in a cosy beachside villa each night. It seemed like the best of both worlds.

Pronunciation

Entry 7

The best thing since sliced bread

Meaning An outstandingly good idea or plan.

Usage Worldwide.

Example

  • Some people hate iPhones Apple fanboys think they are the best thing since sliced bread.

Pronunciation

Entry 8

The glorious twelfth

Meaning The 12th of August - the start of the British grouse shooting season.

Usage Britain.

Example

  • Just two weeks to go. I've booked all the beaters and the trip to the grouse moor is all set - bring on the glorious twelfth.

Pronunciation

Entry 9

The icing on the cake

Meaning Something that makes a good situation even better.

Usage Worldwide.

Example

  • Winning the race was great. Getting a medal and a prize was the icing on the cake.

Pronunciation