heap

(a) heap of (something)

a great deal of something. Tom's got a heap of money, but no one to spend it on. A teacher has to have a heap of patience as well as a lot of smarts.

(a) heap sight

Rur. a lot; very much. This chair is a heap sight better than that one. You got a heap sight more taters than I did.

See also: sight

bottom of the barrel and bottom of the heap

Fig. the location of persons or things of the very lowest quality; someone or something of the lowest quality. (The fruit at the bottom of a barrel of apples is likely to be bruised from the weight of the other apples.) That last secretary you sent me was really the bottom of the barrel. I don't need any candidates from the bottom of the heap.

See also: barrel, bottom

do someone a power of good and do someone a heap of good

Rur. to be very good for someone. You should take a vacation. It'd do you a power of good. Just hearing your voice does me a heap of good.

See also: good, power

heap something (up)on someone or something 

1. Lit. to pile something up on someone or something. (Upon is formal and less commonly used than on.) Please don't heap so much trouble upon me! Wally heaped leaves on the flower bed.

2. Fig. to give someone too much of something, such as homework, praise, criticism, etc. (Upon is formal and less commonly used than on.) Don't heap too much praise on her. She will get conceited. The manager heaped criticism on the workers.

heap something up

to make something into a pile. He heaped the mashed potatoes up on my plate, because he thought I wanted lots. Heap up the leaves in the corner of the yard.

See also: up

heap something with something

to pile something onto something. Karen heaped Jeff's plate with way too much food. We heaped the driveway with leaves and then put them into bags.

top of the heap

Fig. a position superior to everyone else. For some reason, Jerry has to be at the top of the heap. She fought her way to the top of the heap and means to stay there.

See also: top

whole heap more and whole lot more

Rur. a great deal more. I think a whole heap more of Joe than I do of his brother. Don't quit now. There's a whole heap more work to be done.

See also: more, whole

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at the bottom of the heap/pile

in a worse situation than anyone else in a group of people Those at the bottom of the heap feel that society has failed them. The homeless are at the bottom of the pile with little hope of improving their situation.

See also: bottom

do somebody a power of good  (informal)

to make someone feel much better That walk in the fresh air did me a power of good.

See also: good, power

fall in a heap  (Australian informal)

to lose control of your feelings and start to cry The case collapsed when the main witness fell in a heap and was escorted from the court.

See also: fall

throw somebody/something on the scrap heap  (informal)

to get rid of someone or something that is not wanted or needed any more (usually passive) Many people over forty who can't find a job feel they've been thrown on the scrap heap.

See also: scrap, throw

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heap something on somebody/something

to express a strong opinion about someone or something Other leaders heaped praise on the president at the meeting.

Usage notes: often heap scorn on someone or something (to express a strong lack of respect): He heaped scorn on those who thought the plan would work.

on the scrap heap also in the scrap heap

in a place for things that are not wanted any more Congress is threatening to throw the president's budget on the scrap heap.

Etymology: from the literal meaning of scrap heap (a pile of things that are no longer wanted)

See also: scrap

the bottom of the heap also the bottom of the pile

the lowest rank within a group Being near the bottom of the heap, the company has nowhere to go but up. Those at the bottom of the heap feel that no one cares about them.

Opposite of: the top of the heap

See also: bottom

the top of the heap

the highest rank within a group How does Stephen plan to keep the company at the top of the heap?

Usage notes: often used in the form at the top of the heap, as in the example

Opposite of: the bottom of the heap

See also: top