1. to be seen as clearly better than others around you
Professional
Social
He got top marks in his exams, which really made him stand out from the crowd
When people notice you amongst other people, you are probably standing out from the crowd. This idiom is used positively to indicate that someone has achieved something extraordinary or something which elevates that person above others within the same professional or artistic context, for example. Getting the highest marks in your exams can make you stand out from the crowd. If you're looking for a promotion, you will need to stand out from the crowd - you will need to perform better and be recognised for doing so. Anything that draws positive attention from others can make you stand out from the crowd.