dream team

An outstanding combination of individuals or factors that promises huge success. This term originated in the second half of the twen- tieth century in sports, where it signified a team made up of the best play- ers. It soon was transferred to other venues, as in the New York Times headline for a story about wealthy lawyer Johnnie L. Cochran (Sept. 3, 2000), “Finding a ‘Dream Team’ for his Finances.” It is well on its way to cliché- dom.