English Reference
Idiom idiom

praise to the skies


To praise or laud (someone or something) excessively.

Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.


SIMPLE

The critics praise the new movie to the skies.

CONTEXTUAL

My boss praised my work to the skies during the meeting, which made me feel quite embarrassed.

COMPLEX

Although the author had many detractors, his loyal followers continued to praise his latest novel to the skies, ignoring its obvious flaws.


From praise + to the skies, an intensifying phrase denoting the highest possible degree. The construction dates to the early 17th century.


Related idioms5entries
  1. 01

    damn with faint praise

    To provide praise that is minimal or inconsequential, implying that such praise is the best that could be said.

  2. 02

    pie in the sky

    A fanciful notion; an unrealistic or ludicrous concept; the illusory promise of a desired outcome that is unlikely to happen.

  3. 03

    praise with faint damns

    To provide minimal critique, implying that the criticism is the worst that could be said of someone or something.

  4. 04

    reach for the sky

    To aim for the best possible outcome.

  5. 05

    sing the praises of

    to commend (someone or something’s) attributes to others

Last updated August 10, 2026