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Region: General | Usage example: Her research record is second to none.

Second to none

Meaning

The very best.

Usage

Used to praise excellence.

Origin & History

Origins and dates here are approximate summaries. Many idioms have disputed or unknown origins, and not every date has been checked against a historical dictionary, so treat specific dates and stories as a starting point rather than a citation.

Comparison idiom meaning nothing ranks above it.

18th-century English usage.