🐶 Pick of the Litter: Finding the Gems Among the Rubble 🌟
“Pick of the litter, the” — The best of the lot. Versions of this term have been around in various forms for a long time—from the pick of the market and pick of the parish to the pick of the basket (all nineteenth century) and pick of the bunch (twentieth century). The cliché alludes to selecting the most desirable from a litter of puppies.
Related Expressions and Similar Terms:
- Pick of the crop 🥇 - Choosing the best from a multitude.
- Cream of the crop 🥛 - The very best of the bunch.
- Top dog 🏆 - The best or most important person in a group.
- Best in show 🐕🦺 - The top prize in a competitive show.
- Numero uno 👑 - The best or most important person.
Synonyms:
- Finest
- Premium
- Elite
- Choice
- Top-notch
Antonyms:
- Worst
- Inferior
- Mediocre
- Subpar
- Run-of-the-mill
Quotes:
- “Be the pick of the litter in a world full of strays.” — Canine Proverb
- “Pick of the litter isn’t chosen by accident; it’s the consequence of insight and precision.” – Anonymous Poet
- “Why settle for the rest when you can have the best?” – Mrs. Perfectionist
Proverbs:
- “Strike while the iron is hot.” 🌡️ – Choose the best when the opportunity presents itself.
- “The early bird catches the worm.” 🌅 – Getting ahead by being the first to act.
- “Good things come to those who wait.” ⏳ – Patience is rewarded, often with the very best.
Recommended Reading, Songs, and Movies:
📚 Books:
- “Animal Farm” by George Orwell – Not about puppies, but the battle for dominance and hierarchy is disturbingly relevant.
- “To Kill a Mockingbird” by Harper Lee – Discover characters who could be described as pick of their litter.
- “Charlotte’s Web” by E.B. White – No one can forget that Wilbur was picked as the best by Charlotte!
🎵 Songs:
- “Eye of the Tiger” by Survivor 🎸 – A musical ode to being the best and surviving the toughest battles.
- “We Are The Champions” by Queen 👑 – The ultimate celebration of being the pick of the litter.
- “Top of the World” by The Carpenters 🌍 – It feels like flying when you’re the very best.
🎬 Movies:
- “Babe” 🐷 – This charming little pig rises to be the pick of the farm.
- “Best in Show” 🐾 – A hilarious look at competitive dog shows and what it means to be the best.
- “The Pursuit of Happyness” 🎥 – An enlightening journey where drive and determination make one person the pick of the crowd.
### Which of these is a true idiom?
- [x] Pick of the litter
- [ ] Wait for the apples to drop
- [ ] Counting rubber duckies
- [ ] Riding the pink panther
> **Explanation:** "Pick of the litter" is a widely recognized idiom, referring to choosing the best from a group. The others are amusing but imaginary.
### What is the synonym for 'pick of the litter'?
- [ ] Ordinary choice
- [x] Cream of the crop
- [ ] Bottom of the barrel
- [ ] Needle in a haystack
> **Explanation:** "Cream of the crop" is a synonym for "pick of the litter", as both mean selecting the best.
### True or False: 'Bottom of the barrel' is similar to 'pick of the litter'
- [ ] True
- [x] False
> **Explanation:** "Bottom of the barrel" actually signifies the opposite, referring to the worst or least desirable options.
### Which saying encourages seizing the best opportunity?
- [x] Strike while the iron is hot
- [ ] Wait for the cows to come home
- [ ] Chase the dragon's tail
- [ ] Fly like a dodo
> **Explanation:** "Strike while the iron is hot" encourages acting swiftly and decisively to seize the best opportunities when they arise.
### How would you describe an extraordinary outcome?
- [ ] That’s as common as a potato.
- [x] That’s the cream of the crop.
- [ ] That’s soup with a fork.
- [ ] That’s as ordinary as open sky.
> **Explanation:** "Cream of the crop" is used to describe an extraordinarily positive outcome.
May you always find the “pick of the litter” in every facet of life.
With All My Litterly Love,
Lexie Lexicons
Sunday Snippet Publishing, 2023-10-02
