Explaining "Cream rises"

Reviewed and edited by

Anwar Kareem 04/07/2025, 06:44

English.me team member

What does it mean?

The phrase "cream rises" is a shortened version of "the cream rises to the top." It means that the best people or things in a group will naturally stand out or be recognized, just as cream rises to the top of milk.

Tone

Optimistic and positive

Origin

This saying comes from the natural process in dairy where cream, being lighter and richer than milk, rises to the top when milk is left to settle. It has been used metaphorically since at least the 19th century.

Examples of usage

Don’t worry about being overlooked; remember, cream rises.
Even in a big company, the most talented employees—cream rises sooner or later.
With so much competition, it’s good to have faith that cream rises in the end.