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over the top
01
in a manner that is too extreme or exaggerated
Idiom
Informal
Grammatical Information
What is the origin of the idiom "over the top" and when to use it?
The idiom "over the top" is thought to originate from military slang, referring to soldiers who went over the parapet or trench in a reckless or overly aggressive manner during World War I. In contemporary usage, it can refer to anything that is excessively dramatic, extravagant, or exaggerated, whether in a positive or negative context. It is commonly used in both spoken and written English to describe something that is excessive, extravagant, or exaggerated to the point of being extreme or unreasonable.
Examples
The decorations at the wedding were way over the top, with chandeliers and a live orchestra.
over the top
01
beyond what is considered normal or reasonable
Grammatical Information
Composition
Compound
qualitative
Superlative
most over the top
Comparative
more over the top
gradable
Examples
His reaction to the minor mistake was totally over the top.
