# OTC

CEFR C2 · Adjective

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/otc
Updated: 2026-05-08

## Definition

behaving in a way that is way too much or out of control. You use this when someone is acting crazy or doing something much more intense than they should.

For teachers: exceeding the bounds of acceptable or reasonable behavior; excessive or out of control. Often used predicatively to describe a person's actions or emotional state in informal contexts.

## Examples

- He was acting totally OTC at the party last night.
- The argument started over something small, but his reaction was completely OTC and made everyone uncomfortable.
- While a bit of excitement is expected during the finals, the fans' behavior became OTC when they started throwing objects onto the field, forcing the referee to pause the match.

## Usage notes

- Acronym for 'over the counter' in medical contexts, but used as 'over the cliff' or 'out of control' in slang; typically follows a linking verb like 'be' or 'get'.

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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.