A Cut Above

Meaning of Idiom ‘A Cut Above’

To be a cut above is to be better than other people or things, especially those that are similar; to be superior.

The idiom can be used as a standalone statement but is often used to compare a person or thing to other persons or things of a similar nature.

See also the related idiom cut the mustard.

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Sentence Examples

“He has terrible bedside manner but as a surgeon, he is a cut above”

“Fred was always a cut above the other students.”

“The camera on the new phone is a cut above previous technology.”

‘ I think that you, Miss Austen, consider yourself a cut above the company.” — Becoming Jane (2007)

“Ah, now this one must be very profound. The Ethics of Aristotle. Ow anybody that read that must believe he’s a cut above anybody that hadn’t.” — Fahrenheit 451 (1966)

“Maybe it’s horseshit so that we can fancy ourselves a cut above the thugs and the gangsters of the world.” — The Art of the Steal (2014)

“It isn’t much, sir, but it’s a cut above emptying piss-pots.” — The Madness of King George (1995)

“He seemed a cut above the others. There was something different about him. A special quality.” — Bedazzled (1967)

Origin

In use since the early 1800’s.

More Idioms Starting with A

• Add Fuel to the Fire
• Are You Writing a Book?
• Army Brat
• And How
• Any Which Way

More Above Idioms

• Above the Law
• Above Suspicion
• Over and Above
• Above and Beyond

More Cut Idioms

• Fish Or Cut Bait
• Cut the Mustard
• Cut From the Same Cloth
• Cut and Run
• Running Around Like a Chicken With its Head Cut Off