ENGLISH
REFERENCE

upper crust

idiom
Meaning

The social elite, the highest social class.


Origin

first recorded 19th c.

First known use as an idiom: 1836.

Examples
SIMPLE

They act like they belong to the upper crust.

CONTEXTUAL

The gala was filled with the upper crust of society, all wearing expensive jewelry and designer clothes.

COMPLEX

Despite his humble beginnings, he spent his entire life trying to gain acceptance among the city's upper crust.

Anchors to
Related idioms5entries
  1. 01

    crack a crust

    To make a living.

  2. 02

    earn one's crust

    To earn money, to do something as a job.

  3. 03

    stiff upper lip

    The quality of being resolute and showing self-restraint, stereotypically associated with the British; especially as keep a stiff upper lip.

  4. 04

    upper hand

    Advantage or control.

  5. 05

    upper storey

    A person's brain.

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