tens across the board

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English[edit]

Etymology[edit]

Referring to the points awarded by judges in juried competitions, ten being the highest possible score.

Phrase[edit]

tens across the board

  1. (informal) Used to express praise or amazement.
    • 2015 October 20, “Hemsworths Have a Hot-Off”, in New York Daily News, volume 97, number 117, page 22:
      Flashing their magical smiles at the premiere of “The Dressmaker” in Melbourne, Australia, we couldn't decided[sic] who was the better looking bro, Liam (far l.) or Chris Hemsworth (near l.), so we'll just call it even. Tens across the board – for being handsome.
    • 2023, Nathan Bryon, Tom Melia, directed by Raine Allen-Miller, Rye Lane:
      Yas (Vivian Oparah): Babe, that outfit? Tens across the board.
      Woman in Shop (Charlotte Melia): Oh. Thank you so much.