chef's kiss

Meaning

This expression is used to describe something that is absolute perfection, flawless, or excellent. It mimics the physical gesture of kissing one's fingertips and spreading them out to praise a great meal, but it is applied to anything from movies to outfits. It has a playful, highly appreciative tone.

Examples

• The plot twist at the end of the movie was absolute chef's kiss.

  The plot twist at the end of the movie was absolute chef's kiss.

• That jacket with those shoes? Chef's kiss!

  That jacket with those shoes? Chef's kiss!

• The weather today is just chef's kiss—not too hot, not too cold.

  The weather today is just chef's kiss—not too hot, not too cold.

• Her performance in the final scene was chef's kiss.

  Her performance in the final scene was chef's kiss.

• The way the cheese melts on this pizza is chef's kiss.

  The way the cheese melts on this pizza is chef's kiss.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ The dinner was a chef kiss.

  ✓ The dinner was chef's kiss.

  Avoid using 'a' before the phrase when using it as an adjective; it is treated as a standalone descriptor or noun phrase without an article.

• ✗ I did a chef's kiss to her performance.

  ✓ Her performance was chef's kiss.

  While it originates from a physical gesture, in modern slang, we describe the thing itself as 'chef's kiss' rather than saying we 'did' or 'made' it to someone.

Related Expressions

Practice

• The lighting in this photo is literally ___!

  💡 Think of a phrase meaning absolute perfection, mimicking a culinary gesture.

  Show answer

  chef's kiss

• That final guitar solo was absolute ___.

  💡 It means flawless or excellent.

  Show answer

  chef's kiss