1top 
/ˈtɑ:p/ noun
plural tops /ˈtɑ:p/ noun 1 [count] : the highest part, point, or level of something
▪ The tops of the walls are painted and the bottoms are covered in wood paneling. — usually singular ▪ He was calling down from the top of the stairs. ▪ Please write your name on the top of the page. ▪ She climbed to the top of the mountain. ▪ She had a scratch on the top of her foot. ▪ He filled the glass to the top. 2 [count] : an upper surface or edge of something
▪ a table with a glass top — see also cooktop, countertop, desktop, tabletop 3 [count] : something that covers the upper part or opening of something
▪ I'm looking for a pen with a red top. [=cap] ▪ She took the top [=lid] off the jar. ▪ The box's top had been removed. ▪ I hate it when you leave the top off the toothpaste! 4 [noncount] : the highest position in rank, success, or importance
▪ He is at the top of his profession. ▪ The company's new CEO started at the bottom and worked her way to the top. ▪ employees at the top of the pay scale ▪ The team is at the top of the league. ▪ He graduated at the top of his/the class. [=his grades were among the highest in his class] ▪ The order came straight from the top. [=from the person with the most authority or power] ▪ Studying for the test is on the top of my list. [=it is the first and most important thing that I need to do] 5 [count] : a piece of clothing that is worn on the upper part of your body
▪ She was wearing a blue silk top and black pants. ▪ a bikini top — see also tank top 6 [noncount] informal : the beginning
▪ We'll have another news update for you at the top of the hour. [=at the start of the next hour] ▪ Let's rehearse the scene from the top. ▪ OK, everybody. Let's take it from the top. [=start from the beginning of a scene, song, etc.] 7 [noncount] : the first half of an inning in baseball
▪ the top of the sixth inning 8 [noncount] chiefly Brit : the part of something (such as a street) that is farthest away
▪ Try the shop at the top of the road. 9 [noncount] chiefly Brit : the highest gear of a vehicle
▪ She shifted into top once she got on the highway.
▪ The tops of the walls are painted and the bottoms are covered in wood paneling. — usually singular ▪ He was calling down from the top of the stairs. ▪ Please write your name on the top of the page. ▪ She climbed to the top of the mountain. ▪ She had a scratch on the top of her foot. ▪ He filled the glass to the top.
▪ a table with a glass top — see also cooktop, countertop, desktop, tabletop
▪ I'm looking for a pen with a red top. [=cap] ▪ She took the top [=lid] off the jar. ▪ The box's top had been removed. ▪ I hate it when you leave the top off the toothpaste!
▪ He is at the top of his profession. ▪ The company's new CEO started at the bottom and worked her way to the top. ▪ employees at the top of the pay scale ▪ The team is at the top of the league. ▪ He graduated at the top of his/the class. [=his grades were among the highest in his class] ▪ The order came straight from the top. [=from the person with the most authority or power] ▪ Studying for the test is on the top of my list. [=it is the first and most important thing that I need to do]
▪ She was wearing a blue silk top and black pants. ▪ a bikini top — see also tank top
▪ We'll have another news update for you at the top of the hour. [=at the start of the next hour] ▪ Let's rehearse the scene from the top. ▪ OK, everybody. Let's take it from the top. [=start from the beginning of a scene, song, etc.]
▪ the top of the sixth inning
▪ Try the shop at the top of the road.
▪ She shifted into top once she got on the highway.
at the top of the heap — see 1heap
at the top of the pile — see 1pile
at the top of your voice/lungs
: in the loudest way possible
▪ She sang at the top of her voice. ▪ They were shouting at the top of their lungs.
▪ She sang at the top of her voice. ▪ They were shouting at the top of their lungs.
blow your top — see 1blow
come out on top
: to win a competition, argument, etc.
▪ He's confident that he'll come out on top when all the votes have been counted.
▪ He's confident that he'll come out on top when all the votes have been counted.
from top to bottom
: in a very thorough way
▪ We cleaned/searched the house from top to bottom.
▪ We cleaned/searched the house from top to bottom.
from top to toe
: from your head to your feet
▪ They were covered from top to toe [=(more commonly) from head to toe] in mud.
▪ They were covered from top to toe [=(more commonly) from head to toe] in mud.
off the top of your head
informal : immediately by thinking quickly about something
▪ Off the top of my head, I can think of three people who might be interested. ▪ I can't remember her name off the top of my head.
▪ Off the top of my head, I can think of three people who might be interested. ▪ I can't remember her name off the top of my head.
on top 1 : on the highest part or surface of something
▪ He gave us vanilla ice cream with chocolate sauce on top. ▪ We finished decorating our Christmas tree by putting a star on top. ▪ She picked the card on top. 2 chiefly Brit : winning a game or competition
▪ The team was on top [=in front, ahead] after the first half. — see also come out on top (above)
▪ He gave us vanilla ice cream with chocolate sauce on top. ▪ We finished decorating our Christmas tree by putting a star on top. ▪ She picked the card on top.
▪ The team was on top [=in front, ahead] after the first half. — see also come out on top (above)
on top of 1 : on the highest or upper part of (something or someone)
▪ The house sits on top of a hill. ▪ Put the card back on top of the deck. ▪ Books and papers were piled on top of each other. ▪ I fell to the ground and the dog jumped on top of me. 2 : in control of (something) : doing the things that are needed to deal with (something)
▪ You can count on them to be on top of things when problems develop. ▪ “Can you get this done by next week?” “Don't worry. I'm on top of it.” ▪ She's not on top of her game this morning. [=she is not performing well this morning] 3 : aware of what is happening in (a particular area of activity)
▪ She tries to keep/stay on top of current events. 4 : very close to or near (someone or something)
▪ The deadline was on top of them before they knew it. ▪ The houses are built right on top of each other. 5 : in addition to (something)
▪ You owe me $20, and that's on top of the $40 you owe me from earlier. ▪ On top of everything else, he lost his job. 6 ◊In British English, if something gets on top of you, it becomes too difficult for you to handle or deal with.
▪ Planning their wedding was starting to get on top of them.
▪ The house sits on top of a hill. ▪ Put the card back on top of the deck. ▪ Books and papers were piled on top of each other. ▪ I fell to the ground and the dog jumped on top of me.
▪ You can count on them to be on top of things when problems develop. ▪ “Can you get this done by next week?” “Don't worry. I'm on top of it.” ▪ She's not on top of her game this morning. [=she is not performing well this morning]
▪ She tries to keep/stay on top of current events.
▪ The deadline was on top of them before they knew it. ▪ The houses are built right on top of each other.
▪ You owe me $20, and that's on top of the $40 you owe me from earlier. ▪ On top of everything else, he lost his job.
▪ Planning their wedding was starting to get on top of them.
on top of the world
informal : in a very successful or happy state
▪ I had just gotten married and felt like I was on top of the world.
▪ I had just gotten married and felt like I was on top of the world.
over the top
informal : beyond what is expected, usual, normal, or appropriate : very wild or strange often in an amusing way
▪ His performances are always over the top. [=(Brit) OTT]
▪ His performances are always over the top. [=(Brit) OTT]
top of the tree
Brit, informal : the most powerful or most successful position in a profession, organization, etc.
▪ She is still (at/on the) top of the tree in her field. [=she's still at the top in her field]
▪ She is still (at/on the) top of the tree in her field. [=she's still at the top in her field]
— compare 3top;
see also big top
