on top of

1. In control of, fully informed about, as in The weeds were terrible, but the new gardener was soon on top of them , or Our senator always manages to be on top of the issues .

2. In addition to, following closely on, as in Several other benefits are being offered on top of a better salary , or On top of the flu Jane caught her sister's measles . [c. 1600]

3. Also, on top of one another . Very close to, crowded, as in I didn't see her until she was right on top of us , or In these condominiums people are living right on top of one another . [Mid-1900s]

Example Sentences

The group have many stories about their involvement with the song, including not being allowed to go on Top of the Pops with Siffre due to a "strict bishop" and having to wear "awful BBC Two blouses" when they did appear on BBC daytime television.

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But Ms Brown said despite the success of the song, they were not allowed to go on Top of the Pops.

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"It was on Top of the Pops but we couldn't go - our strict bishop said no," she said.

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It’s hard to wave a red flag over someone who keeps on top of their credit-card debt.

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Some, who climbed on top of one partially destroyed market, tossed food and bottles of water down below, where people gathered with arms outstretched.

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Related Words

• astute 
• cagey 
• canny 
• crafty 
• farsighted 
• ingenious 
• judicious 
• keen 
• penetrating 
• perceptive 
• probing 
• prudent 
• sensible 
• sharp 
• slick 
• sly 
• smart 
• wily 
• wise