over the top
Idioms-
Surpassing a goal or quota, as in The new salesmen are excellent; they were over the top within the first six months . [Mid-1900s]
-
Over the parapet of a military trench, as in The lieutenant sent fresh troops over the top . This usage dates from World War I.
-
Extreme, outrageous, as in This comedian's style goes over the top . [ Slang ; late 1900s]
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
But, as with Fiona, the faithful perhaps felt the theatrics were too over the top, took Rachel's side, and dumped Harriet.
From BBC
“The last thing someone who’s crafted a beautiful score wants is some rock star to come in and sing all over the top of it,” said Cave, himself an experienced film composer.
From Los Angeles Times
The presentations were all thoughtful, without being over the top or just focused on an Instagrammable moment.
From Salon
Igor Thiago ran on to a ball over the top in the 56th minute, with Tottenham defender Cristian Romero making a wild swipe to try to intercept.
From BBC
For a moment, he was caught, suspended over the top, and Clara looked back in horror as one of girls, her hands along his thigh like claws, yanked him backward.
From Literature
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
