Word
stay on top of
Definition
idiom. to keep control of a situation by knowing exactly what is happening and doing what needs to be done.
idiom. to remain informed and in control of a situation, task, or set of responsibilities; to manage a workload effectively without falling behind.
Examples
“I use a calendar to stay on top of my work.”
“It is difficult to stay on top of all the new emails when you return from a long holiday.”
“The project manager struggled to stay on top of the shifting deadlines as the supply chain issues worsened.”
Examples
simple
“I use a calendar to stay on top of my work.”
contextual
“It is difficult to stay on top of all the new emails when you return from a long holiday.”
complex
“The project manager struggled to stay on top of the shifting deadlines as the supply chain issues worsened.”
Usage
usually followed by a noun phrase representing a task, information, or a busy schedule.
Teaching tip
contrast with 'fall behind', which is the natural opposite in a professional or academic context.
Pitfall
I need to stay on top for my studies.
I need to stay on top of my studies.
the preposition 'of' is mandatory to connect the phrase to its object.
Scan code
englishreference.com/q/stay-on-top-of