IdiomDaily Life
English
Englishblue ribbon
Meaning: First-rate or renowned; also, a first prize.
Example: “The committee is made up of blue-ribbon experts from three universities.”
Origin: The blue sash of the Order of the Garter, the highest order of English knighthood, made "blue ribbon" a byword for the highest honor. In the 19th century blue ribbons were awarded as first prizes at fairs and shows, especially in America.
More English idioms
- bottoms up! A call to drink; to empty one's glass.
- bring the house down To be a great success.
- give someone a bum steer To give someone bad advice or wrong directions.
- burn rubber To accelerate with tires so quickly from a stopped position that the rubber tires make a…
- burn the candle at both ends To overwork oneself.
- burned out Lacking enthusiasm due to overexposure or too much of the same thing; completely used up;…
Explore another collection: Tongue Twisters
Tricky phrases to practice out loud, from languages around the world.
- Unique New York. Three words that jam the 'y/n/k' sequence together — repeat it and it collapses into 'you…
- Pad kid poured curd pulled cod. Alternating repetition — the consonants swap at the start of every other word, which is w…
- Red lorry, yellow lorry. The 'l/r' alternation drill — deceptively short, yet almost impossible to say fast withou…
Keep exploring