over the top

Register · Informal Informal — used in casual, everyday conversation among friends and family. Avoid in formal writing or professional settings. CEFR B2

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Figurative meaning

excessive or exaggerated

Why this phrase?

From soldiers going 'over the top' of a trench; figuratively means 'excessive'.

Example

“Their reaction to the small mistake was completely over the top.”

Dictionary details

Tags

exaggeration

Expressions connected by reviewed component words or topic tags.

larger than life Neutral · CEFR B2

unusually impressive, vivid, or forceful in personality or appearance

a storm in a teacup Neutral · CEFR C1

A great deal of fuss made about a trivial matter.

Source methodology

Meanings, register, CEFR, and examples come from the reviewed dictionary record. Expression notes may describe a reviewed present-day word picture or a background note; they are not presented as verified etymology.

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