CREAM OF THE CROP, CROCODILE TEARS, CROSS (ONE’S) FINGERS: American English Idioms #49

CREAM OF THE CROP

This idiom is used to describe the best of a group or category. It’s often used to demonstrate superiority, but can also be used to highlight quality in a variety of contexts.

In the context of this idiom, a group is an organism’s population and a category is its hierarchical rank. This implies that the cream of the crop are the intellectuals.

The cream of the crop is an idiom that refers to the best or most desirable people or things in a group. It derives from the notion that the cream rises to the top, hence its association with quality. The phrase is often used to refer to those who are considered the best of their class, such as high achievers in college admissions, professionals who work hard at their careers, or athletes at their peak.

The meaning of this idiom is to be the best or more desirable thing or person of its type. It is often used to describe the best of a group, which creates an implicit hierarchy among them. For example, if some are better than others, then the cream of the crop are clearly superior to some degree.

A cream of the crop idiom refers to the most excellent of a group. It is typically used when referring to various types of people or things that are part of a group, and there is something that distinguishes them from the rest. For example, “Mary was always top in her class so she considered herself to be some sort of cream of the crop.

CROCODILE TEARS

The phrase “crocodile tears” means to feign sorrow and/or pity for a situation. The phrase comes from the idea that crocodiles weep while they prey on other animals, or that they weep when captured. “Crocodile tears” can also mean something insincere, such as an apology that is not backed by any action.

Crocodile tears are an idiom describing a person who feigns sorrow, usually to get pity. It is commonly understood that crocodiles cry while hunting their prey, but they do not cry simply for the sake of crying.
A crocodile’s eyes are located on the side of its head, which enables them to see prey while most of their body is submerged in water. This makes it easier for crocodiles to hunt since the prey cannot see them coming.

Crocodile tears are an idiom, referring to people who falsely show signs of sadness or empathy. The phrase is often used in reference to people who are not actually feeling the emotion they are portraying on their face. For example, a politician may appear sad while addressing his constituents after some terrible tragedy yet there is no hint of sadness in the tone of voice or words he uses.

A crocodile tear is an expression of fake remorse, the tears that are shed while feigning sympathy. The term derives from the belief among some people that crocodiles cry while they eat their prey.

Crocodile tears are fake, insincere displays of sorrow. The phrase derives from the belief that crocodiles weep when attacking their prey.

CROSS (ONE’S) FINGERS

This phrase means to hope for luck and to pray for luck. The sign of the cross is made with two fingers, and then the two fingers that have just been crossed are tucked into the hand.

Crossing one’s fingers is a superstitious gesture to invoke good luck. This gesture is performed by simply crossing the fingers of both hands and interlocking them. It is unclear where this superstition originated from, but it has been a long-standing belief in many cultures.

Typically, when people cross their fingers, they are hoping that the person or thing they are wishing for will come to fruition. This is known as an idiom, which is a word or phrase that implies a figurative meaning that is not its literal meaning. When one crosses their fingers, it is done so in the hope the desired outcome will come to be true.

Crossing one’s fingers is an idiomatic expression meaning: “in the hopes that something will happen or something will not take place.” The action of crossing one’s fingers is a physical manifestation of their hope.

The idiom “cross one’s fingers” means that a person is hopeful for the outcome of an event. The writer accomplishes this by making the person crossing their fingers appear to be praying; suggesting he/she wants God to make something good happen.

The idiom “cross one’s fingers” is a metaphor for hope and prayer, which is why it can also be found in religious texts such as the Bible and in prayers at Catholic masses.

Crossing one’s fingers is an idiom meaning to wish for luck. Like when someone has their fingers crossed, it means that they want something bad to happen or that they want to be lucky in the future.