His reaction to the small mistake was over the top.
over the top
idiomBeyond normal, expected, or reasonable limits; outrageous.
Origin
first recorded 20th c.The adjectival form first appears c. 1935. See cite below. The adverbial form (in reference to World War I) first appears c. 1915.
The party decorations were a bit over the top, with glitter and lights everywhere.
The director's over the top performance distracted the audience from the subtle themes of the play.
- 01
cherry on top
Synonym of icing on the cake (“a thing which intensifies the appreciation of something already good, or (ironic) the regretting of something already bad”).
- 02
on top
In a dominant position.
- 03
put the bottom rail on top
To reverse a hierarchy.
- 04
top banana
The boss, the leader.
- 05
top cat
Synonym of top dog.
- 06
top dog
The boss, the leader (of the pack).
- 07
top dollar
The maximum amount of money that an item, service, or worker is worth; a very high price.
- 08
top drawer
Of the highest quality.