cut above

a cut above

Noticeably superior to others within the same category. With his vast experience and charming personality, it was clear to see that Gary was a cut above the rest of the candidates who interviewed for the sales position.
See also: above, cut
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

cut above something

a measure or degree better than something else. Your shirt is beautiful, but mine is a cut above yours.
See also: above, cut
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.

cut above

Someone or something that is superior to examples of a similar nature, as in This book is a cut above his previous one. This idiom uses cut in the sense of "a higher degree or stage." [Early 1800s]
See also: above, cut
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.

a cut aˈbove somebody/something

better than somebody/something: This is a cut above the average weekly magazine — it publishes very good articles and short stories.
See also: above, cut, somebody, something
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
See also:
  • a cut above
  • a cut above somebody/something
  • be a cut above
  • second cousin
  • notch above
  • a notch above
  • winning ways
  • be miles away
  • suave
  • million miles away
References in classic literature
No; he had only received a cut above the temple, and perhaps a few bruises from the fall, or the hoofs of his own pony: that could not kill him if he lay there half the day; and, if he could not help himself, surely some one would be coming by: it would be impossible that a whole day should pass and no one traverse the road but ourselves.
He had got, in some way or other, a cut above his left eyebrow -- a cut to the bone.
Cut above Eva is doing her bit to help kids in need
PS11.99 Dourthe Reserve 2018 Sauvignon Blanc Majestic This refreshing sauvignon blanc is a cut above, with a lemony taste and not too acidic.
One of them was a cut above the rest because it involved realizing a dream.
Fury sustained a cut above his left eye in sparring a fortnight ago and the wound re-opened when Pulev caught him with a jab in the second round of their IBF heavyweight title eliminator.
Hughie sustained a cut above his left eye in sparring a fortnight ago and the wound re-opened when Pulev caught him with a jab in the second round of their IBF heavyweight title eliminator.
Tom has now created a network of more than 200 hairdressers and stylists CUT ABOVE Chapman, right, with Paul Richardson A CUT ABOVE Tom Chapman, right, with client Paul Richardson
Ravena's self-awareness puts him a cut above the rest.
Corrie crimpers are a cut above CORRIE may be going through a transition period but it is still capable of laugh-out-loud moments.
Coming little less than a week after his wife Linda died, viewers will come to this with a much more acute sense of how important the 1950s was for the Treforest-born singer, as not only was it the decade he fell in love with rock 'n' roll, but he also fell head over heels for local girl Melinda Trenchard - whom he described in his recent autobiography as "a cut above me academically and a cut above me socially, too".
They eased past Mount Carmel 5-2, with star performer Tom Watkinson a cut above the rest.
However, they are still a cut above promoted Bournemouth and the previous week's win at Chelsea and their battling draw at Anfield on Sunday are more accurate illustrations of Southampton's capabilities.
Walls, MS, March 15, 2015 --(PR.com)-- A Cut Above Painting today announced the launch of www.acutabovepaint.com as an informational portal that features educational resources on subjects such as property value benefits from interior painting, exterior painting and interior and exterior staining, and many other helpful tips that can save you thousands of dollars in the Memphis Area.
This is a restaurant with ambition: "elegant steakhouses with elegant interiors that are a cut above the rest", it says on the website.