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over the top

Meaning in simple English, pronunciation and examples

Pronunciation: US /ˌoʊvɚ ðə ˈtɑːp/ · UK /ˌəʊvə ðə ˈtɒp/

over the top means: Much more extreme, expensive, or dramatic than is sensible or necessary.

adjective

EXCESSIVEB2

Much more extreme, expensive, or dramatic than is sensible or necessary.

  • His reaction was over the top.
  • The party decorations were completely over the top.
  • Was that joke a little over the top?

Similar words: excessive, outrageous, extreme

Opposites: restrained

Common phrases: over the top, over-the-top reaction

INTERNET DELIVEREDC1

Sent over the internet to a television or another device, especially video or other media.

  • This is an over-the-top video service.
  • The company launched an over-the-top streaming platform last year.
  • Over-the-top television services need a reliable internet connection.

Similar words: internet-delivered, OTT

Common phrases: over-the-top services, over-the-top video

SPRAYED ON CROPSC2

Applied from above directly onto growing plants in a field.

  • The herbicide is approved for over-the-top application.
  • Farmers used an over-the-top spray on the growing crop.
  • Over-the-top treatments put the chemical directly on the plants.

Common phrases: over-the-top spraying, over-the-top application

adverb

EXCESSIVELYC1

In a way that goes far beyond normal or reasonable limits.

  • He went over the top with the gifts.
  • She went over the top when praising his performance.
  • Did we go over the top with the celebrations?

How to use it: go over the top with something (They went over the top with the wedding decorations.)

Similar words: excessively, extravagantly

Common phrases: over the top, go over-the-top

ACROSS UPPER EDGEA2

Across the highest part or upper edge of something.

  • The water flowed over the top.
  • She climbed over the top of the wall.
  • A bird flew over the top of the tree.

How to use it: over the top of something (The ball flew over the top of the fence.)

Common phrases: over the top, climb over-the-top

LEAVING A TRENCHC1

Out of a military trench and into the open to attack the enemy.

  • The soldiers went over the top.
  • An officer ordered the men over the top into enemy fire.
  • Few returned after going over the top that morning.

How to use it: go over the top (The soldiers went over the top at dawn.)

Common phrases: over the top, sent over-the-top

Questions about over the top

What does over the top mean?

Much more extreme, expensive, or dramatic than is sensible or necessary.

What is over the top in other languages?

Türkçe: aşırı · Español: exagerado · Français: exagéré · Deutsch: übertrieben · Italiano: esagerato · 日本語: 大げさな

How do you pronounce over the top?

In American English /ˌoʊvɚ ðə ˈtɑːp/; in British English /ˌəʊvə ðə ˈtɒp/.

How do you use over the top in a sentence?

His reaction was over the top. The party decorations were completely over the top.

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over the top in other languages

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