notch (redirected from notches)

notch something up

to count up something; to add up or score something. We notched yet another victory up in our efforts to regain the trophy. Well, it looks like we notched up another victory.

See also: up

notch above (someone or something) and a notch better than (someone or something)

Fig. a little higher in quality than someone or something. This latest candidate we interviewed seems a notch above the rest, so let's hire her. That telescope is a notch better than the others in terms of magnification.

See also: above

notch below (someone or something)

Fig. a little lower in quality than someone or something. I believe that this wine is a notch below the one we had with the fish.

See also: below

take someone down a peg (or two) and take someone down a notch (or two); knock someone down a peg (or two); knock someone down a notch (or two)

Fig. to reprimand someone who is acting too arrogant. The teacher's scolding took Bob down a notch or two. He was so rude that someone was bound to knock him down a peg or two.

See also: peg, take

top notch

the absolute best. (Hyphenated before a nominal.) Julie's singing in the musical is top notch. He prepared a top-notch meal before the movie and dessert for afterward.

See also: top

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top-notch

of the highest possible quality We need to offer high salaries to attract top-notch staff. People will pay a fortune for really top-notch wines.

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a notch below somebody/something

not quite as good as someone or something else Fifty years ago, there were many big bands that were good, but they were a notch below the great ones.

See also: below