over the top

Definition from Wiktionary, a free dictionary

Contents 1 English 1.1 Alternative spellings 1.2 Adjective 1.2.1 Usage notes 1.2.2 Synonyms 1.2.3 Translations 1.3 Adverb 1.4 References

[edit] English

[edit] Alternative spellings

• over-the-top

[edit] Adjective

over the top (comparative more over the top, superlative most over the top)

1. (idiomatic) Bold; beyond normal, expected, or reasonable limits; excessive; outrageous.

   He has always had an independent style, but don't you think purple spiky hair is a bit over the top?

   • 2007, Bruce Jenkins, "The Chronicle Sports Columnist Blog," San Francisco Chronicle, 26 Aug,

     Myers went over the top in the clubhouse, berating a reporter who questioned Myers' terminology.

[edit] Usage notes

• Over the top occurs only following a copula as the object of a sentence, as above, whereas
• Over-the-top is used where the adjective occurs before the word it modifies, as

  He gave an over-the-top performance.

[edit] Synonyms

• (bold, excessive, outrageous): exaggerated, OTT

[edit] Translations

[edit] Adverb

over the top (comparative more over the top, superlative most over the top)

1. (from World War One) Over the parapet of a trench, especially at the start of a futile attack.

   The men were sent over the top to their certain death.

[edit] References

• "over the top" in the Dictionary.com Unabridged, v1.0.1, Lexico Publishing Group, 2006.
• Oxford English Dictionary, 2nd ed., 1989.