head and shoulders above (someone or something)

head and shoulders above (someone or something)

Significantly better than someone or something. I think John should definitely get the job—he's head and shoulders above all the other applicants.

See also: above, and, head, shoulder

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2015 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

head and shoulders above someone or something

Fig. clearly superior to someone or something. (Often with stand, as in the example.) This wine is head and shoulders above that one. John stands head and shoulders above Bob.

See also: above, and, head, shoulder

McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

head and shoulders above

Greatly superior to, as in This book is head and shoulders above her first one. This expression transfers physical stature to other kinds of status. [Mid-1800s]

See also: above, and, head, shoulder

The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer. Copyright © 2003, 1997 by The Christine Ammer 1992 Trust. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

head and shoulders above someone/something

COMMON If one person or thing is head and shoulders above others of their kind, they are much better than them. In the world of newspaper publishing, there is one success story that stands head and shoulders above the rest. Richards, according to Imran Khan, was at his peak head and shoulders above any other player.

See also: above, and, head, shoulder, someone, something

Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed. © HarperCollins Publishers 2012

head and shoulders above

by far superior to. informal

1996 Time Out The film stands head and shoulders above 99.9 per cent of post-70's Hollywood product.

See also: above, and, head, shoulder

Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017

head and ˈshoulders above somebody/something

very much better, greater, etc. than somebody/something: He’s head and shoulders above the other candidates.

See also: above, and, head, shoulder, somebody, something

Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017