Fill a container, especially when it is almost full to begin with. For example, I don't need much gas; just top off the tank, please . [First half of 1900s]
Finish, especially in a spectacular way, as in They topped off their trip with a visit to the White House . [First half of 1800s]
First recorded in 1940–45; noun use of verb phrase top off to inform (on someone)
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
It didn’t save gas and more often than not it triggered panic buying, like the 12-cent top-off.
From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 18, 2026
This was just a top-off to hit its capex target and still have some cash left over.
From Barron's ● Dec. 8, 2025
And if you’re in a rush, a 15-minute top-off will get you several hours of playback time.
From The Verge ● Jun. 29, 2022
Many experts believe the third shot does more than just top-off waning immunity; the shot also broadens the ability of the immune system to defend against variants, including omicron.
From Washington Post ● May 17, 2022
Engineers deliberately left the fuel tank accessible for a top-off by visiting spacecraft, if and when such technology becomes available.
From Seattle Times ● Dec. 25, 2021
Noticing that the outdoor space got just enough light to wring out some tomatoes, we headed to the nursery to top off our nest.
From Los Angeles Times ● May 8, 2026
These days, Martinez prefers to top off her tank long before it is empty, not wanting to spend the $80 a full tank costs all at once.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 12, 2026
Instead of blowing the top off a mountain, you build a gas plant next to a town and run it 24/7 for server racks.
From Salon ● Dec. 28, 2025
To top off his lavish property portfolio, the businessman also snapped up a home on the south side of Maui in 2004.
From MarketWatch ● Nov. 3, 2025
As soon as they heard his truck tear out, Eleanor's mom picked up the bowl with what was left of the rice pudding, then skimmed the top off the pile of pudding on the floor.
From "Eleanor & Park" by Rainbow Rowell
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.
