Meaning of Idiom ‘Head of the Class’
To be at the head of the class means to be the best student in the class or the leader in a particular field or industry. 1Brenner, Gail Abel. Webster’s New World American Idioms Handbook. Wiley, 2003.
Usage
When head of the class is used to refer to a student, it can refer to the best pupil in a specific class or the best in a particular school, grade level, or university subject. Otherwise, it may refer to almost any person, group, organization, or company.
Examples Of Use
“Tamara was chosen for the internship because she is at the head of her class in Archaeology.”
“Forester Sign Company makes all the signs for our business. They are definitely at the head of the class in signage.”
“In this new frontier of computer animation technology, one studio is at the head of the class.”
Origin
Like many such idioms, this idiom uses head to refer to the best or top. 2Brenner, Gail Abel. Webster’s New World American Idioms Handbook. Wiley, 2003. It has been used since at least the late 1700s.
More Idioms Starting with H
More Head Idioms
- Have Something Hanging Over Your Head
- Hard-Headed
- Running Around Like a Chicken With its Head Cut Off
- Off the Top Of My Head
- Hit the Nail On the Head
More Class Idioms
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