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- Dictionaryover the top
adverb
- 1. to an excessive or exaggerated degree: informal "some performances go over the top"
- 2. over the parapet of a trench and into battle: historical "I'll be in the trench with you chaps when you go over the top"
adjective
- 1. excessive or exaggerated: "failed, over-the-top attempts at humour"
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OVER THE TOP definition: 1. too extreme and not suitable, or demanding too much attention or effort, especially in an…. Learn more.
Jun 12, 2024 · The meaning of OVER-THE-TOP is extremely or excessively flamboyant or outrageous. How to use over-the-top in a sentence.
1. Beyond a certain limit, threshold, goal, or quota. I was already thinking about buying the new car, but having a test drive in one pushed me over the top. Mrs. Patterson's generous donation has put us over the top to reach our $1 million goal! 2. Excessive, flamboyant, campy, or outrageous, often purposefully so. Often hyphenated.
What's the meaning of the phrase 'Over the top'? To an excessive degree; beyond reasonable or acceptable limits. What's the origin of the phrase 'Over the top'?
The phrase over the top is most often used to describe something that is excessive or outrageous, as in The flashy supervillain planned crazy schemes that were over the top. Less commonly, over the top can refer to surpassing a goal, as in The promising rookies were over the top, scoring more shots than anyone expected.
Meaning & use. adverb. 1. 1915–. In the First World War (1914–18): over the parapet of a trench and into battle; usually in to go over the top. Now historical or in extended use. 1915. Then the Captain gave the order to charge, at the same time mounting the parapet, and over the top we went, the Captain shouting ‘Come on.’.
Use the adjective over-the-top to describe something that's excessive or exaggerated, like the over-the-top birthday party your uncle threw for his two year-old, complete with ponies, clowns, and a chocolate fountain. When something goes way beyond what's expected, it's over-the-top.
OVER THE TOP definition: too extreme and not suitable: . Learn more.
Surpassing a goal or quota, as in The new salesmen are excellent; they were over the top within the first six months . [Mid-1900s] Extreme, outrageous, as in This comedian's style goes over the top .
The phrase “over the top” is a common idiom used in English to describe something that is excessive or extreme. The origins of this phrase can be traced back to its use during World War I, when soldiers would go “over the top” of their trenches and into no man’s land to engage in battle. The Trench Warfare.
