blue ribbon

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "blue ribbon" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to refer to something of superior quality or to denote a first-place award in a competition. An example is: "She won the blue ribbon at the county fair for her pie." Alternative expressions include "first prize" and "top honor."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

41 human-written examples

What next — Blue Ribbon Larchmont?

The New Yorker

Other facts about a blue ribbon jury.

The New Yorker

That cheese won a blue ribbon.

The New York Times - Books

But Blue Ribbon had no place here.

The Guardian - Arts

The $2 bar beer (Pabst Blue Ribbon).

The New York Times

The blue ribbon holds sewing accessories at the waist.

Yale University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

17 human-written examples

Eric and Bruce Bromberg, the Blue Ribbon boys, will open Blue Ribbon Fried Chicken in the spring.

The New York Times

A non-binding, blue-ribbon commission.

The Washington Post

Back to the blue-ribbon panel.

The New York Times - Sports

Yeah, remember that blue-ribbon report?

The New York Times - Sports

"We don't want another blue-ribbon commission.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "blue ribbon" to describe a committee or panel, ensure the context clearly indicates that it comprises highly qualified and respected individuals. Avoid using it if the selection process is biased or lacks transparency.

Common error

Avoid using "blue ribbon" to describe everyday or insignificant achievements. This diminishes the impact of the phrase and can appear hyperbolic. Reserve it for truly exceptional accomplishments or qualities.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "blue ribbon" primarily functions as a noun or an adjective. As a noun, it refers to the highest award or honor. As an adjective, it modifies another noun to indicate superior quality or prestige. Ludwig provides numerous examples illustrating these functions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

56%

Academia

16%

Wiki

14%

Less common in

Science

6%

Formal & Business

4%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "blue ribbon" is a widely recognized term signifying excellence or a top-tier award. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and provides ample examples showcasing its versatile use in various contexts, from describing award-winning achievements to designating high-quality committees. While its register is generally neutral, it's crucial to reserve it for genuinely exceptional instances to avoid diminishing its impact. As demonstrated by the provided data, it's most frequently encountered in news and media, as well as academic contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

top prize

Focuses specifically on the reward aspect, simplifying the concept of "blue ribbon" as a competition's highest honor.

first place

Directly indicates the winning position, similar to receiving a "blue ribbon" in a contest.

highest honor

Emphasizes the distinction and prestige associated with the achievement, mirroring the significance of a "blue ribbon".

award of excellence

Highlights the superior quality and merit recognized by the "blue ribbon".

superior quality

Captures the essence of being "blue ribbon" in terms of exceptional standards and characteristics.

elite selection

Implies a group or item has passed a rigorous standard and has been chosen to be the best, similar to a "blue ribbon" product or team.

top-tier

Denotes a high rank or level, reflecting the exclusivity and prominence associated with a "blue ribbon" designation.

cream of the crop

Signifies the best individuals or items from a larger group, akin to winning a "blue ribbon" in a selection process.

best in class

Focuses on being the top performer within a specific category, comparable to achieving a "blue ribbon" in a competition.

gold standard

Represents the highest benchmark or expectation, akin to a "blue ribbon" signifying superior quality.

FAQs

How can I use "blue ribbon" in a sentence?

You can use "blue ribbon" to describe something of superior quality, as in "The governor appointed a "blue ribbon panel" to address the issue" or to denote a first-place award, such as "Her pie won a blue ribbon at the county fair".

What are some alternatives to "blue ribbon"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "top prize", "first place", "highest honor", or "superior quality".

Is it correct to say "a blue ribbon committee" or "a blue-ribbon committee"?

Both forms are acceptable, but "blue ribbon committee" and ""blue ribbon panel"" is more common. The hyphenated form "blue-ribbon" can be used as an adjective before a noun.

What does it mean when someone says a river is a "blue ribbon" trout stream?

A "blue ribbon" trout stream is a designation for a river or stream that is considered to be of very high quality for trout fishing, indicating excellent habitat, water quality, and fish populations.