40 Idioms for Amazing | Express Awe Like a Native Speaker

Idioms are the fireworks of language, adding bursts of color and excitement to our everyday expressions. They are phrases where the true meaning is a secret handshake between speakers, a deeper concept not found in the literal words. When we try to describe something truly amazing, simple adjectives often fall short.

This is where an interesting idiom can save the day. Instead of just saying “it was great,” you can say it “knocked my socks off” or was “the bee’s knees.” These expressions paint a vivid picture, conveying a level of wonder and emotion that brings our experiences to life. Exploring your favorite idioms doesn’t just make you a more interesting speaker; it deepens your understanding of the creative ways we share our moments of awe.

Amazing things often come in big packages—both literally and metaphorically. Check out these idioms for big that can help you express greatness in size, success, or surprise.

Table of Contents

Idioms for Amazing

Here is a list of 40 popular idioms used to describe something as amazing, excellent, or impressive.

1. Knocks your socks off

Meaning: To be extremely impressive, surprising, or amazing.
Use in a sentence: The firework display was so incredible, it completely knocked my socks off.
Other ways to say it: Utterly amazing, astounding, breathtaking.

2. The bee’s knees

Meaning: An excellent or outstanding person or thing.
Use in a sentence: You should try this new coffee shop; their espresso is the bee’s knees.
Other ways to say it: The best, top-notch, first-rate.

3. Out of this world

Meaning: Extremely good, impressive, or enjoyable.
Use in a sentence: The chef’s special dessert was out of this world.
Other ways to say it: Heavenly, divine, exceptionally good.

4. Takes the cake

Meaning: To be the most remarkable or outstanding example of something (can be used positively or negatively).
Use in a sentence: I’ve seen a lot of great performances, but this one really takes the cake.
Other ways to say it: Is the best example, surpasses all others, is unparalleled.

5. A cut above the rest

Meaning: To be noticeably better than others of the same kind.
Use in a sentence: In terms of quality and service, this hotel is a cut above the rest.
Other ways to say it: Superior, in a class of its own, much better.

6. Steal the show

Meaning: To attract the most attention and praise because your performance is better than anyone else’s.
Use in a sentence: The lead actor was great, but the talented young actress completely stole the show.
Other ways to say it: To be the main attraction, to outshine everyone.

7. The cat’s pajamas / The cat’s meow

Meaning: (Dated, but charming) A person or thing that is highly enjoyable, stylish, or impressive.
Use in a sentence: He thought his new convertible car was the cat’s pajamas.
Other ways to say it: The height of fashion, excellent, wonderful.

8. One in a million

Meaning: A person or thing that is very special, rare, and unique.
Use in a sentence: An opportunity like this is one in a million; you have to take it.
Other ways to say it: Unique, exceptionally rare, very special.

9. To die for

Meaning: So good that you want it more than anything.
Use in a sentence: The chocolate lava cake at that restaurant is to die for.
Other ways to say it: Absolutely delicious, irresistible, extremely desirable.

10. Second to none

Meaning: The very best; better than all others.
Use in a sentence: Her dedication to her students is second to none.
Other ways to say it: Unsurpassed, the best there is, peerless.

11. Blows your mind

Meaning: To be extremely impressive, exciting, or shocking.
Use in a sentence: The view from the top of the mountain just blows your mind.
Other ways to say it: Mind-boggling, astounding, unbelievable.

12. A sight for sore eyes

Meaning: A person or thing that you are extremely pleased or relieved to see.
Use in a sentence: After a long, tiring journey, our hotel room was a sight for sore eyes.
Other ways to say it: A welcome sight, a relief to see.

13. Rings a bell

Meaning: To sound familiar (used here to mean it’s notably good, as in “it hits the right notes”).
Use in a sentence: That performance really rings a bell; it’s exactly the kind of quality we’re looking for.
Other ways to say it: Hits the mark, is just right.

14. Strikes gold

Meaning: To find, do, or produce something that is very valuable or successful.
Use in a sentence: The author struck gold with her debut novel, which became an instant bestseller.
Other ways to say it: To hit the jackpot, to find great success.

15. Hits the spot

Meaning: To be exactly what is needed or wanted.
Use in a sentence: That cold glass of lemonade on a hot day really hits the spot.
Other ways to say it: Is perfect, is just what was needed.

16. Best thing since sliced bread

Meaning: A really great invention or innovation.
Use in a sentence: My new smartphone is the best thing since sliced bread; it does everything!
Other ways to say it: A fantastic invention, a brilliant idea.

17. Drop-dead gorgeous

Meaning: Extremely attractive or beautiful.
Use in a sentence: The bride looked drop-dead gorgeous in her wedding dress.
Other ways to say it: Stunningly beautiful, breathtaking, very attractive.

18. To a T / To a tee

Meaning: Perfectly; exactly right.
Use in a sentence: The new design suits our company’s image to a T.
Other ways to say it: Perfectly, exactly, precisely.

19. On the ball

Meaning: To be alert, competent, and efficient.
Use in a sentence: Our project manager is always on the ball and never misses a deadline.
Other ways to say it: Competent, efficient, quick to understand.

20. Top-drawer

Meaning: Of the highest quality or social standing.
Use in a sentence: The event was a top-drawer affair, with famous guests and gourmet food.
Other ways to say it: First-class, top-quality, excellent.

21. A class act

Meaning: Someone or something that is stylish, excellent, and shows high standards of behavior.
Use in a sentence: Even after losing, he congratulated the winner and proved he was a real class act.
Other ways to say it: Elegant, admirable, high-quality.

22. The real McCoy

Meaning: The real, authentic thing, not a copy or imitation.
Use in a sentence: Forget those cheap fakes; this handmade leather bag is the real McCoy.
Other ways to say it: The genuine article, authentic, the real deal.

23. Worth its weight in gold

Meaning: To be extremely valuable, useful, or important.
Use in a sentence: A reliable and honest mechanic is worth their weight in gold.
Other ways to say it: Extremely valuable, invaluable, very useful.

24. A diamond in the rough

Meaning: Someone or something with great potential but lacking polish or refinement.
Use in a sentence: The young singer is a bit of a diamond in the rough, but with some training, she’ll be a star.
Other ways to say it: Having hidden potential, a hidden gem.

25. The cream of the crop

Meaning: The very best of a group of people or things.
Use in a sentence: The university only accepts the cream of the crop from thousands of applicants.
Other ways to say it: The best of the best, the elite, the finest.

26. Beyond your wildest dreams

Meaning: Better or more wonderful than anything you could have imagined.
Use in a sentence: The success of their small business went beyond their wildest dreams.
Other ways to say it: Unimaginably good, better than expected.

27. Magic touch

Meaning: A special skill for doing something very well.
Use in a sentence: Everything she bakes is delicious; she has the magic touch.
Other ways to say it: A special talent, a gift for something.

28. Aces

Meaning: (Slang) Excellent, very good.
Use in a sentence: “How was the concert?” “It was aces!”
Other ways to say it: Fantastic, excellent, great.

29. Breathtaking

Meaning: So amazing that it takes your breath away.
Use in a sentence: The view of the Grand Canyon at sunrise was absolutely breathtaking.
Other ways to say it: Awe-inspiring, spectacular, stunning.

30. Mind-blowing

Meaning: Overwhelmingly impressive.
Use in a sentence: The special effects in that movie were mind-blowing.
Other ways to say it: Astonishing, mind-boggling, stunning.

31. On another level

Meaning: Far superior to others.
Use in a sentence: The performance of the lead violinist was on another level entirely.
Other ways to say it: In a different league, far superior.

32. Picture-perfect

Meaning: As perfect as a beautiful picture.
Use in a sentence: It was a picture-perfect day for a wedding, with clear blue skies and a gentle breeze.
Other ways to say it: Flawless, idyllic, perfect.

33. Prime example

Meaning: An excellent or ideal illustration of something.
Use in a sentence: This painting is a prime example of the artist’s early work.
Other ways to say it: A perfect example, a classic case.

34. Standout

Meaning: A person or thing that is exceptionally good or noteworthy.
Use in a sentence: Among all the great speeches, hers was the standout performance of the night.
Other ways to say it: Exceptional, memorable, outstanding.

35. State-of-the-art

Meaning: Incorporating the newest ideas and most up-to-date features.
Use in a sentence: The hospital is equipped with state-of-the-art medical technology.
Other ways to say it: Modern, advanced, cutting-edge.

36. The tops

Meaning: (Dated) The very best.
Use in a sentence: As far as singers go, Frank Sinatra was the tops.
Other ways to say it: The best, number one.

37. Ticks all the boxes

Meaning: To fulfill all the necessary requirements or be exactly what is wanted.
Use in a sentence: This new car ticks all the boxes: it’s safe, fuel-efficient, and stylish.
Other ways to say it: Meets all criteria, is perfect in every way.

38. Out of the top drawer

Meaning: Of the highest quality.
Use in a sentence: His performance was right out of the top drawer.
Other ways to say it: Top-quality, first-class.

39. A showstopper

Meaning: A performance or item so impressive that it receives prolonged applause or great admiration.
Use in a sentence: Her final song was a real showstopper.
Other ways to say it: A stunning performance, a highlight.

40. To beat the band

Meaning: To do something with great energy, speed, or volume; to a great degree.
Use in a sentence: The wind was blowing to beat the band, making it hard to walk. (Can imply impressive intensity).
Other ways to say it: Impressively, with great force.

Fill-in-the-Blank Exercise

Complete the following sentences with the correct idiom for “amazing” from the list above.

This new vacuum cleaner is the best thing since ______________________.
Her ability to solve complex problems is ______________________.
The five-star hotel’s customer service was a real ______________________.
That chocolate cake is simply ______________________.
After weeks of searching, we found a house that ______________________.
The special effects in the new sci-fi movie will absolutely ______________________.
An honest politician is truly ______________________.
Of all the applicants, she was the ______________________.
His final piano solo was a true ______________________ that earned a standing ovation.
The handmade watch was the ______________________, not a cheap imitation.
A loyal friend is worth their ________ __ ______________________.
The view from the scenic overlook was ______________________.
He has the ______________________ when it comes to gardening; all his plants flourish.
This restaurant is good, but the one downtown is a ______________________.
The athlete’s comeback performance was simply ______________________.

Answer Key

sliced bread
second to none
class act
to die for
ticks all the boxes
blow your mind
one in a million
cream of the crop
showstopper
real McCoy
weight in gold
picture-perfect
magic touch
cut above the rest
out of this world

Conclusion

Learning what an idiom is and how to use it is like adding a new set of colors to your palette. It allows you to paint more vivid pictures with your words and express feelings like joy and amazement with greater depth. Incorporating these interesting idioms into your vocabulary will make your writing more dynamic and your conversations more engaging.

More importantly, it enhances your emotional intelligence by giving you a nuanced way to share your own experiences and understand the excitement of others. The meaning of “simply amazing” is amplified when we use these powerful, time-tested phrases to share our sense of wonder with the world.