blue ribbon

blue ribbon

1. noun A prize for first place. In contests, the person or thing that wins first place is often awarded a blue ribbon. Congratulations on winning the blue ribbon! It was certainly well-deserved—I never knew pecan pie could taste so good!
2. adjective By extension, excellent or the best of a particular group or category. Often hyphenated. Wow, Sharon, this is a blue-ribbon pie—I never knew pecan pie could taste so good!
See also: blue, ribbon
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

blue ribbon

Of outstanding excellence; also, first prize. The term comes from the wide blue ribbon that is the badge of honor of the Garter, the highest order of British knighthood. It was founded by King Edward III about 1350 and reestablished in the nineteenth century. The choice of a blue garter allegedly dated from a court ball where a lady lost her blue garter. The king picked it up and, seeing knowing smirks among the guests, bound it around his own leg and said, “Honi soit qui mal y pense” (“Shame on him who thinks evil”). The saying became the motto of the Order of the Garter. The award was originally limited to members of the royal family and 25 other knights, but in the 1900s it was granted to a few commoners, among them Sir Winston Churchill (in 1953). In the mid-1800s the term began to be transferred to any outstanding accomplishment and today it is applied to excellent schools (Blue Ribbon Schools Program), as a name for restaurants and menu items (blue-ribbon special), and as the first prize in athletic competitions.
See also: blue, ribbon
The Dictionary of Clichés by Christine Ammer
See also:
  • ribbon
  • out of a clear (blue) sky
  • out of the blue
  • blue screen of death
  • BSOD
  • (it) (really) doesn't matter to me
  • blue moon
  • curse a blue streak
  • have a blue fit
  • cuss a blue streak
References in periodicals archive
The Blue Ribbon Committee tackles and investigates matters relating to malfeasance, misfeasance and nonfeasance in office by public officials and employees; and other matters of public interest.
Poe eyes Blue Ribbon, but only if Gordon relinquishes chairmanship
'Not yet,' Gordon told the BusinessMirror over the weekend when asked to confirm if the Blue Ribbon panel has scheduled a hearing date to assess the extent of the BOC fire damage.
Blue Ribbon to probe customs fire in Manila
Busy Phillips, who attended as the date of best supporting actress nominee Michelle Williams, also put a blue ribbon on her velvet dress.
Oscars 2017: Why Are Celebs Wearing Blue Ribbons?
Singer, PhD, and two other cochairs of the Blue Ribbon Panel in an article published in Science (2016 Sep 7.
Moonshot recs praised, but patient advocates say they missed some marks
"Our FiDi eatery will embody the original founding spirit of Blue Ribbon Restaurants--it will be a casual, fun place that we would be happy returning to day after day with business associates, family or friends," said Bruce Bromberg.
Bromberg brothers to open Wall Street eatery
"These Blue Ribbon Award winners have worked hard, taken risks, and achieved success, helping strengthen their communities and local economies."
Strategic Programs Named U.S. Chamber Blue Ribbon Small Business Award Winner
M2 EQUITYBITES-January 26, 2016-Glacier Restaurant Group Buys Max and Erma's Chain from American Blue Ribbon
Glacier Restaurant Group Buys Max and Erma's Chain from American Blue Ribbon
Ayushi is a Program Lead of Avanti Young Women Leadership Program at The Blue Ribbon Movement (BRM) - a social enterprise which works towards designing and delivering leadership programs for young people across borders and on different scales, thus being committed to leadership development.
Mumbai girl selected to represented India at G(irls)20 Summit to be held in Turkey
| Spotty frill knickers, PS7.50, White Stuff, www.whitestuff.com | Spotty frill knickers, PS7.50, White Stuff, www.whitestuff.com | Floral briefs, PS2.50, George at Asda | Floral briefs, PS2.50, George at Asda | Tatiana spotted Brazilian pants PS6, Boux Avenue | Tatiana spotted Brazilian pants PS6, Boux Avenue | Blue ribbon shorts, PS6, Boux Avenue | Blue ribbon shorts, PS6, Boux Avenue | Silk printed French knickers, PS19.50, M&S | Silk printed French knickers, PS19.50, M&S | High waisted lace knickers, PS14, Marks and Spencer | High waisted lace knickers, PS14, Marks and Spencer | Low rise Wizard Of Oz boy pants, PS4, Topshop | Low rise Wizard Of Oz boy pants, PS4, Topshop
to you knickers to you knickers
| Spotty frill knickers, PS7.50, White Stuff, www.whitestuff.com | Spotty frill knickers, PS7.50, White Stuff, www.whitestuff.com | Floral briefs, PS2.50, George at Asda | Floral briefs, PS2.50, George at Asda | Tatiana spotted Brazilian pants PS6, Boux Avenue | Tatiana spotted Brazilian pants PS6, Boux Avenue | Blue ribbon shorts, PS6, Boux Avenue | Blue ribbon shorts, PS6, Boux Avenue | Silk printed French | Silk printed French knickers, PS19.50, M&S | High waisted lace knickers, PS14, Marks and Spencer | High waisted lace knickers, PS14, Marks and Spencer | Low rise Wizard Of Oz boy pants, PS4, Topshop | Low rise Wizard Of Oz boy pants, PS4, Topshop
to you knickers to you knickers to you knickers to you knickers
Sabre and Blue Ribbon Bags said they have launched a new Red App that helps travel agents purchase luggage insurance for travelers.
Sabre partners with Blue Ribbon Bags to offer luggage insurance
Metis Nation-Saskatachwan has launched a blue ribbon campaign aimed at training trainers to help prevent suicide amongst Metis youth.
MN-S launch youth suicide prevention program
Bell Award for Outstanding School Leadership at the 2013 National Blue Ribbon Schools awards ceremony in Washington, D.C.
Worcester Tech principal honored
This week, at an awards luncheon in Washington, D.C., Secretary Duncan honored 314 schools as 2012 National Blue Ribbon Schools.
Blue Ribbon Schools
The bill is intended to implement the eight recommendations of the Blue Ribbon Commission that Department of Energy Secretary Steven Chu appointed to review the nation's nuclear waste program.
Senate unit holds hearing on Nuclear Waste bill