top out

British  

verb

1. (adverb) to place the highest stone on (a building) or perform a ceremony on this occasion

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top out Idioms  

1. Complete the top portion of a building, as in They were scheduled to top out the dome next week . This idiom was first recorded in 1834.

2. Fill up a ship or complete its cargo, as in The ship was topped out with scrap iron . This idiom was first recorded in 1940.

3. Cease rising, as in Interest rates topped out at 10 percent . [Second half of 1900s]

4. Retire just as one becomes very successful, as in He decided that at sixty it was time to top out . [ Colloquial ; second half of 1900s]

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Example Sentences

If the asset has been held for more than a year, the gain is taxed at a rate that tops out at 20%.

From Los Angeles Times

The stock is still below the $186 level it topped out at for the month of March.

From Barron's

The seller promised the “teacup” pig would top out at 40 pounds and sent her on her way.

From The Wall Street Journal

However, the US Congressional Research Service estimates they top out at about 3,000 kilometres -- less than a third of the distance to the continental United States.

From Barron's

However the US Congressional Research Service estimates they top out at about 3,000 kilometres -- less than a third of the distance to the continental United States.

From Barron's

Related Words

• climax
• crest
• culminate