top-hole

comparative more top-hole · superlative most top-hole · alternative top hole

1. UKinformalOf very high quality, tip-top.

   "I say, this is a top-hole omelette," said Ronnie.

   1914, H. H. Munro, chapter 5, in When William Came

   4 more examples

   "But Carol's different—she's square, she is; she's just top-hole—if you know what I mean—she's the finest ever," finished Miss Sartoris.

   1916, Kathleen Norris, chapter 1, in The Heart of Rachael

   "My word, old chap, that is top-hole tennis," said the Englishman, warmly congratulating him.

   1921, Ralph Connor, chapter 1, in To Him That Hath

   He was top-hole in his line, he would soon put it right.

   1927, chapter 6, in Helen Tracy Lowe-Porter, transl., The Magic Mountain, translation of Der Zauberberg by Thomas Mann, page 528

   ‘Out at Randolph Park, near the outstanding El Con Marriott,’ C.T. inserts, ‘a venue the whole contingent’s been vocal about finding absolutely top-hole thus far, which —’

   1996, David Foster Wallace, Infinite Jest […], Boston, Mass.; New York, N.Y.: Little, Brown and Company, →ISBN, page 4

   Synonyms: first rate, superb, top drawer, top-notch, topping