A-1 and equivalents

[skoczna]

Hello there!

Can you propose some idioms meaning "superb", "excellent" and so on? Today I learnt a nice one: A1. It's listed here: http://www.usingenglish.com/reference/idioms/ .

I'm waiting for your answers here and also on my weblog: http://learningskoczna.blox.pl/

[Fizi]

Cream of the crop.
Top of the line.
Top notch.

[Tdol]

Thanks, Fizi- we didn't have 'cream of the crop'.

The cat's whiskers
The bee's knees

[hobbes]

Having cleared this this one with the powers that be...

"The Dogs Bollocks"

I had no idea of the origins or root of this - simply that it is in common use (vulgar) an NOT for polite conversation!, for 'the absolute best'. Generally applied to an item, but can be extended to exciting experiences.

eg. "His car is T.D.B." or "That flight was T.D.B."

TDOL moderator added: (edited)

I think the origin is from dog owners noticing the amount of time the average dog dedicates a day to licking his testicles.(Bollocks)

[asesh]

T.D.B. was well explained by tdol.
Can these be fall into the category of A-1 types:
1. As cool as cucumber.
2. simply superb.
3. Outstanding.
4. Top of the rung.

Some of these may not qualify as idioms. Still please explain.
Asesh

[Tdol]

1- This idiom doesn't carry the same meaning- it refers to a specific characteristic, the ability to remain calm under pressure, but it doesn't go further than that.
2 & 3- This aren't idioms, IMO, though they do have a similar meaning to A-1, but don't mean the best, just high quality.
4- This would be 'top-rung'. You wouldn't be top of the rung. 'Top-rung' is used to mean the best, but I haven't heard it used for people, but positions and for the qualities of things like systems, tasks, etc.