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.
Instead, the Lakers superstar pulled up straight over the top of Bryant’s outstretched arm, dropping a fadeaway jumper softly through the net.
From Los Angeles Times
I stop listening, fold over the top of the chewable medication packet, and tuck it back into my purse.
From Literature
She opens her folder, looks at me over the top of her glasses.
From Literature
“I thought Nate’s Gertrude boat and Jonah’s motorcycle were a little over the top, but theirs are nothing compared to some of these.”
From Literature
You had this rough scribble of a brick base with a curvy wave over the top of it.
From BBC
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.
