the bee's knees

be the bee's knees

To be exceptionally great, excellent, or high-quality. Have you ever tried the pistachio gelato at this place? It's absolutely the bee's knees! I'm so crazy about the girl I've started seeing. I think she's the bee's knees, and I don't care who knows it!
See also: knee

the bee's knees

dated slang Something or someone highly enjoyable, desirable, or impressive, especially in a fancy or elaborate way. Tom's new Cadillac is really the bee's knees! Boy, that singer last night was the bee's knees, wasn't she?
See also: knee
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

the bee's knees

BRITISH, OLD-FASHIONED
If something or someone is the bee's knees, they are extremely good. I loved this jacket when I bought it — I thought it was the bee's knees. Note: Some people believe that this expression refers to the way in which bees transfer pollen (= the powder that flowers make) from their bodies to pollen sacs on their back legs. However, it seems more likely that it dates from the 1920s, when other similar expressions such as `the cat's pyjamas' began to be used.
See also: knee
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed.

the bee's knees

something or someone outstandingly good. informal
The bee's knees was first used to refer to something small and insignificant, but it quickly developed its current, completely opposite meaning.
See also: knee
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

the ˌbee’s ˈknees

(informal) a wonderful person or thing: He thinks he’s the bee’s knees (= has a high opinion of himself).
See also: knee
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

bee's knees

Something that's excellent. This nonsensical phrase that was popular in the 1920s was, like “the cat's whiskers,” the equivalent of today's “really cool” or “it's amazing!” It went the way of such faddish expressions, which is to say, out.
See also: knee
Endangered Phrases by Steven D. Price
See also:
  • bee's knees
  • be the bee's knees
  • be the business
  • the business
  • a whale of a
  • caviar to the general
  • think (someone) hung the moon and the stars
  • media darling
  • bee
  • rivet counter
References in periodicals archive
A north-east teenager is feeling like the bee's knees after being named the best young apiarist in the world.
Buzzing teen is best young beekeeper in the world; Accolade: North-east boy claims title
Hodgson accepts the competition is no longer the bee's knees but believes it is still going in the right direction.
CUP FULL OF PROMISE FOR ROY
HE'S THE BEE'S KNEES Coach Sampaoli will let Messi loose on the French
MESSI BEAUCOUP; Argentina must show some bottle to beat the French as Leo will now be unleashed to keep his dream alive; I'VE A MESSI MASTERPLAN
He thinks he's the bee's knees, and calls him his musical hero.
TV CHOICE
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Life's good
Never mind: these accounts under the composer's direction, with expert players (probably on minimal rehearsal) are absolutely the bee's knees. "Springtime in Angus - Elizabeth of Glamis" is heart-wrenching, and The Three Bears is irresistible with its snappy syncopations and melting melodiousness.
Classical; CD RELEASES
James Morton's cinnamon buns are the bee's knees. And with a lovely sweet top?
RIGHT AT HOME; 21 PAGES OF HOMES & GARDENS START HERE
But as far as business plans go, this one really is the bee's knees.
WE'RE IN BUZZNESS! Hives installed in city to boost bee population
The Fairmont Waterfront hotel is offering honey from its rooftop apiary, packaged into the Bee's Knees brand honey truffles.
-Fairmont Hotels and Resorts Vancouver Offers Honey Products
It doesn't just look the bee's knees but works nicely, too.
Join the secret Disney Club and pick up a Penguin Spy Kit; Disney Club Penguin Spy Kit
OUR readers have shown they truly are the bee's knees when it comes to capturing the wonderful essence of the North East.
The bee's knees! Readers show off their skill
In the 1920s, something that was wonderful, excellent, or stylish was described as, "the bee's knees."
Bee--a busy word
Well now, that's just the bee's knees and the cat's pajamas, too, for that matter.
This specialty line of clothing really is the "Bee's Knees": while not the typical product one would think of when considering mobility equipment, this line of clothing certainly does aid in helping those with disabilities access their world more safely and comfortably
Dallaglio this week claimed too many England players think they are "the bee's knees", when the reality is they are still a long way from being world class.
England are no big-time Charlies says Haskell; SIX NATIONS ROUND-UP WALES v ENGLAND - ONE DAY TO GO
Dallaglio claimed this week that too many England players think they are "the bee's knees", when the reality is they are still a long way from being world class.
We're not big-time Charlies! SIX NATIONS