# over the top

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/over-the-top
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

Beyond normal, expected, or reasonable limits; outrageous.

## Examples

- His reaction to the small mistake was over the top.
- 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.

## Origin

The adverbial form appears c. 1915 in reference to the infantry tactics of World War I, specifically the act of climbing out of a trench to begin an assault. The adjectival usage followed c. 1935.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.