top off

1. To add to something until it is full, especially if it was already close to being full. A noun or pronoun can be used between "top" and "off." I'd like to top the car off with gas before we set out on the road tomorrow. Here, let me top off your glass with a bit more wine.

2. To finish or complete something by adding a final element or flourish to it. A noun or pronoun can be used between "top" and "off." The party was great! There was dinner, games, and dancing, and they topped the evening off with a karaoke competition. The cake is almost finished, let me just top it off with a few chocolate strawberries. We topped off our vacation in Greece with a trip to the Acropolis of Athens.

3. To add something unpleasant or difficult to an already troublesome situation. In this usage, a noun or pronoun is used between "top" and "off." I got a flat tire halfway through my bicycle ride, and to top that off, I had left my phone at home so I couldn't call anyone for help! The boss tore me a new one today, and to top it all off, my boyfriend said he was moving out.

See also: off, top

top something off

(with something)

1. to end or terminate something with something; to put something on the top of something. They topped the building off with a tall flagpole. He topped off each piece of pie with a heap of whipped cream.

2. to celebrate an end to something with something. They topped the evening off with a bottle of champagne. They topped off the evening with a bottle of champagne.

See also: off, top

top something off

to add to the difficulty of something. Jane lost her job, and to top that off, she caught the flu. I had a bad day, and to top it off, I have to go to a meeting tonight.

See also: off, top

top off

1. Fill a container, especially when it is almost full to begin with. For example, I don't need much gas; just top off the tank, please. [First half of 1900s]

2. Finish, especially in a spectacular way, as in They topped off their trip with a visit to the White House. [First half of 1800s]

See also: off, top

The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer. Copyright © 2003, 1997 by The Christine Ammer 1992 Trust. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

top off

1. To fill some container completely, especially when it is almost full to begin with: Before we returned the rental car, we topped off the gas tank. Every time I took a sip of my water, the server would come back and top it off.

2. To finish something appropriately: The couple topped off the romantic evening with a walk along the river.

See also: off, top

See also:

References in periodicals archive

She added: "I was asked to take my top off and Dr Banarjee asked me to go and face the wall which I did and he stroked my back."

Patients accuse GP of assault

That phase gives way to a countdown, when people top off their supplies and choose where they will celebrate or ride out the date change.

Scenarios for a Y2K new year

To top off the fiasco, last October, the Michigan Minority Business Development Council (MMBDC), a private agency viewed as the state's top certifying body, revoked Summa-Harrison's status as a minority-owned and -operated firm.

Summa-Harrison scandal

I don't have any so Disney allowed me to take my top off. The others all have tattoos so they had to have their tops on.

It does not take tattoo to tango; Strictly inking ban over Disney image concerns; EXCLUSIVE

In addition, five loft-style floor-through apartments that top off the tower are now being offered to the public at $4 million each.

The Aurora: move right in

Paul Marr, 27, made the statement before being fined pounds 300 for ripping his wife's top off in the street.

WIFE ATTACK FOOTIE BOSS EARNS pounds 12k; Court plea over pounds 300 fine

Such shearing can lop the top off storms as they build.

La Nina stirs weather extremes

I think Ashley Taylor Dawson felt a bit self-conscious taking his top off." Speaking of the decision to axe Arlene in 2009, Ola said: "They were wrong to get rid of her.

OLA-LA! Strictly star says show's too sexy, judges are overpaid... and Alesha Dixon knew nothing about dance; EXCLUSIVE

To top off the restoration project, which was coordinated by Paxhia Design, Joseph P.

Renovation project reveals architectural history. (Design and Development)

In the course of the film, Gerry (Nicole Appleton) falls in love with an American called Daniel (Peter Fachinelli) and takes her top off.

Honestly, girls, you've wasted your time; HONEST (18)

But the search for better charge-storing solids -- an effort, basically, to do away with the corrosive juices that top off most wet-cell batteries -- has been hamstrung by inadequate knowledge about the physical configurations of certain polymers.

Chargeable polymer shows helical structure

FIRE crews were ordered to cut the top off a new police car after cops gave an accident victim shelter from the rain.

Cops' pounds 38K car gets top hacked off; BUNGLE

* Discuss strike delivery scheduling with oil suppliers and arrange to top off the tank before the strike deadline.

Getting prepared: an action plan for owners

Healers concocted an elaborate remedy for Aztec rulers who complained of tiredness, according to Robert Bye of the Botanical Garden in Mexico City, They would boil some herbs in water, add some animal blood, and top off the potion with digestive "stones" found in bird gizzards.

Aztec cure for official fatigue

Summarising for the BBC's live coverage of the Celtic v Falkirk cup tie on Tuesday, the former Dundee United boss came out with this gem when Bairns scorer Alan Gow went bare-chested as he got carried away in the excitement of his goal: "If I had a physique like that, I'd take my top off as well." Just as well our Ian isn't a regular at the local gym then.

The Poacher: DODGY CALL