- top⇄adj. 1. having to do with, situated at, or forming the top.
Ex. the top shelf of a cupboard.
2. (Figurative.) highest in degree; greatest.
Ex. The runners set off at top speed. We pay top prices for used cars.
3. (Figurative.) c - top⇄expr. blow one's top, (Slang.)
a. to lose one's temper; get very excited.
Ex. It is no secret that he often resents criticism, ... and that he blows his top from time to time (Harper's).
b. to become insane.
Ex. A prisoner blew - top⇄expr. from top to toe,
a. from head to foot.
Ex. She was dressed in brown from top to toe.
b. (Figurative.) completely.
Ex. [They were] English from top to toe (James Russell Lowell). - top⇄expr. off (or out of) the top of one's head, (Informal.) without consideration; in an impromptu manner; spontaneously.
Ex. The Bishop was such an easy mark for criticism, and the comments of his detractors had been so abundant, making so many point - top⇄expr. on top of the world, (Informal.)
a. in a foremost or outstanding position.
Ex. A new plan to spread the fruit of scientific research was aimed at putting Britain ""on top of the world"" (London Times).
b. in a very happy or succ - top⇄expr. on top of,
a. in addition to.
Ex. On top of everything else, it's raining (Manchester Guardian Weekly).
b. (Figurative.) in control of.
Ex. The conductor was always on top of the music, keeping it alive and moving (New Yor - top⇄expr. on top, with success; with victory.
Ex. We have the best players, so our team will come out on top. - top⇄expr. over the top,
a. over the front of a trench to make an attack.
Ex. Some fellows asked our captain when we were going over the top (War Illustrated).
b. (Figurative.) over a goal or quota.
Ex. The salesman who goes over the - top⇄expr. sleep like a top, to sleep soundly.
Ex. No noisy window [air conditioning] units ... you sleep like a top (New Yorker). - top⇄expr. top and tail, (British.) to take off both ends of; pull off the greens and roots of (as turnips, carrots, or beets).
Ex. A gentleman ... was topping and tailing gooseberries for wine (L. M. Hawkins). - top⇄expr. top of the morning, a very good morning (used as a greeting).
Ex. Captain, my darling, the top of the morning to you! (Charles J. Lever). - top⇄expr. top off,
a. to complete; finish; end.
Ex. The market has been broadly hinting that the longlived business boom is topping off (Wall Street Journal).
b. (Figurative.) to put the finishing touch to.
Ex. to top off dinner wit - top⇄expr. top out,
a. to reach the top; end.
Ex. Real estate values across the country generally topped out during the past year, according to a survey (Wall Street Journal).
b. to complete the skeleton structure of (a building being erec - top⇄expr. top up, to refill.
Ex. The terphenyl undergoes slow decomposition in the reactor, and has to be topped up at the rate of 1 or 2 per cent per day (New Scientist). - top⇄noun 1. the highest point or part; peak; summit.
Ex. the top of a mountain, the top of a tree.
2. the upper end, part, or surface.
Ex. the top of a book, the top of a table.
3. (Figurative.)
a. the highest or leading plac - top⇄top (1), noun, adjective, verb, topped,topping.
- top⇄top (2), noun.
a toy that spins on a point, sometimes by the rapid unwinding of a string wound around it. Mechanical tops are powered by a spring. - top⇄v.t. 1. to put a top on.
Ex. I will top the box.
(SYN) cap.
2a. to be on top of; be at the top of; crown.
Ex. A church tops the hill.
b. to be or form the top of.
Ex. A steeple tops the church.
3. to reach th