a 10
Someone or something regarded as perfect or superlative in some way (as on a scale of 1 to 10). This weather is a 10 in my book—lots of sunshine with a cool breeze. A: "Wow, that girl is gorgeous." B: "I know, she's a real 10." I know you think a beach vacation is a 10, but I find it boring to just sit on the beach all day.
a perfect ten
1. A perfect score; full marks. The plot was a little flimsy, but I'd give the amazing visuals in the film a perfect ten. How did she not get a perfect ten for that routine? It was flawless! Mom gave this blender a perfect ten, but I haven't been impressed with it myself.
2. A person or thing that is of the highest possible quality or performs at the highest possible caliber. As far as creative marketing consultants go, she's definitely a perfect ten. The team was unstoppable out there tonight. The way they played on the field was simply a perfect ten. This is a vital position in the department, so we can't hire anyone whose credentials are less than a perfect ten.
3. An exceptionally attractive person. A: "Wow, check out that gorgeous hunk of a man." B: "Oh my gosh, he's a perfect ten!" That girl at the bar is a perfect ten! Do you think she'd talk to dorks like us? It was weird to see an actor in person like that. You just don't expect to bump into a perfect ten while getting your morning coffee!
be a 10
To be regarded as perfect or superlative in some way (as on a scale of 1 to 10). This weather is a 10 in my book—lots of sunshine with a cool breeze. A: "Wow, that girl is gorgeous." B: "I know, she's a real 10." I know you think a beach vacation is a 10, but I find it boring to just sit on the beach all day.
five-and-ten
A store that sells goods at low prices (at one time, for literally 5 and 10 cents). Primarily heard in US. We can get that cheaper at the five-and-ten, you know. We had to start shopping at five-and-tens after my dad lost his job. When we were growing up, my sister and I used to love to get candy at the five-and-ten after school.
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.
five-and-ten
Also, five-and-dime. A retail store selling a variety of items for very low prices. The original store of this kind (five-and-ten-cent store) dates from the first half of the 1900s, and although current prices are far more than five or ten cents, the name persists. Sometimes varied to nickel and dime, the term also came to be used as an adjective meaning low-paid, as in Nickel and Dimed: On (Not) Getting By in America, a 2001 book by Barbara Ehrenreich.
The Dictionary of Clichés by Christine Ammer Copyright © 2013 by Christine Ammer