ENGLISH
REFERENCE

TOPS

n. uncountable
B2 Upper Intermediate US //ˈtɑps// UK //tˈɒps// tops Archaic Informal Slang

n. the most you would pay or the highest amount possible for something. You use this when talking about a limit, like a price or a time.

n. the maximum amount, price, or limit for a specific thing. Informal in register; typically used in financial or time-based contexts to indicate an upper bound.


SIMPLE

I can pay fifty dollars, tops.

CONTEXTUAL

The repair should take about three days, tops, provided the parts are in stock.

COMPLEX

While the auctioneer hoped for a record-breaking bid, most collectors estimated the painting would fetch ten thousand dollars, tops, given its current condition.

Synonyms
Antonyms
Usage

Typically functions as a postpositive modifier, appearing immediately after the number or amount it limits.

Pitfall

I will pay tops fifty dollarsI will pay fifty dollars, topsIn this sense, 'tops' almost always follows the amount it modifies rather than preceding it.

Idioms1 entry

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