Be a 10, to

Meaning of Idiom ‘To Be a T0’

To be a 10 means the best looking on a scale of 1 to 10; very attractive; exceptionally gorgeous; a perfect woman in terms of look. This idiom is almost exclusively applied to females but can be applied to males. Sometimes, other aspects of a person besides their attractiveness are referred to, but this is rare.

Sometimes the word perfect is added as in ‘a perfect 10.’

Often, when a female is called a ten, she is compared to other females who might be judged to be lower ranking on a scale. While the expression is often used humorously, especially to initiate discussions comparing the attractiveness of different people, rating people’s attributes in this manner could be considered offensive, offputting, or rude.

In regards to other things, being a 10 means perfect, superior, or great; as good as can be. Something that is ‘a 10’ is the highest possible rank on a scale of one to ten.

See also the related idiom built like a brick shithouse.

Sentence Examples

“She’s definitely a 10, but have you ever talked to her? She’s super angry all the time!”

“I’d call their pizza a 10 but they take a while to deliver.”

“Great fishing here. This lake is a 10, I’d say.”

“She as cute as the rest of you? Caroline?” “Oh, yeah, she’s a perfect 10.” —  Femme Fatales: Girls Gone Dead (2011)

“Am I prettier than Farrah Fawcett?” “Oh, all right. Come on. She’s like a perfect 10. And you are an 11.” — That ’70s Show: Hyde Gets the Girl (2001)

Origin

Used since at least the 1970s, this idiom is fairly transparent and based on the common practice of rating things on a scale of 1 to 10 with one being the worst and 10 being the best.

The idiom was used as the basis for the 1979 Blake Edwards movie, 10 starring Bo Derek and Dudley Moore. Moore plays a middle-aged composer coming to grips with his age who becomes obsessed with a soon-to-be bride, played by Bo Derek.