1
general::
top sb up
[ M ] informal
to put more drink into someone's glass or cup
• Your glass is nearly empty. Let me top you up., top sth up
[ M ] MONEY
2. to add more of something, especially money, to an existing amount to create the total you need
• Students are able to take out loans to top up their grants.
• This is the easiest way to top up your mobile phone card.
• top-up fees/payments, top sth off
[ M ]
to finish something in an enjoyable or successful way
• She topped off her performance with a dazzling encore., top sth up
[ M ] LIQUID
1. UK ( US top sth off ) to add liquid in order to fill to the top a container which is already partly full
• Shall I top up your drink?
• Mix together some lemon juice and sugar, then top it up with water.
Cambridge-Phrasal Verbs
2
general::
In addition to the idioms beginning with TOP, Also see AT THE TOP OF ONE'S LUNGS; AT THE TOP OF THE HOUR; BIG TOP; BLOW ONE'S TOP; BRASS HAT (TOP BRASS); FROM HEAD TO TOE (TOP TO TOE); OFF THE TOP OF ONE'S HEAD; ON TOP; ON TOP OF; ON TOP OF THE WORLD; OVER THE TOP; SLEEP LIKE A LOG (TOP); THIN ON TOP.
American Heritage Idioms
4
general::
adj. VERBS be | come She came top in the exams. PREP. in She was top in maths. | of He was top of his class., noun highest part/surface of sth ADJ. extreme, very We didn't climb to the very top of the mountain, but close enough. | cliff (also clifftop), hill (also hilltop), mountain (also mountaintop), roof (also rooftop), table, tree (also treetop) PREP. at the ~, on ~ Each cake had a cherry on top. There was a vase on top of the bookcase. | to the ~ PHRASES from top to bottom I'm going to clean the house from top to bottom this weekend. highest/most important rank/position VERB + TOP get to, make it to, reach, rise to Few of the trainee footballers make it to the top. She rose to the top of her profession within ten years. PREP. at the ~ The company has an unusually high proportion of young people at the top. | on ~, to the ~ PHRASES top of the agenda Pay was now (at the) top of the employees' agenda. | top of the class She was top of the class in maths. cover that you put on sth in order to close it ADJ. bottle VERB + TOP lever off, prise off, remove, take off, unscrew | put on, screw on piece of clothing ADJ. hooded, long-sleeved, sleeveless | baggy, loose | bikini, pyjama, tracksuitCLOTHES
Oxford Collocations Dictionary
5
general::
Phrase(s): top someone or something
to do or be better than someone or something. • Ann has done very well, but I don’t think she can top Jane. • Do you think your car tops mine when it comes to gas mileage?
McGrawhill's American Idioms And Phrasal Verbs