on top of

preposition

1.

a. : in control of

acted like a man on top of his job — Newsweek

b. : informed about

readers right on top of all the news that's fit to print — New York Times

2. : in sudden and unexpected proximity to

I was right on top of the coffin shop when the door opened — Margery Allingham

3. : in addition to : superadded to

writing on top of a regular job becomes a matter of stamina — N.M.Loomis

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1) on the highest point or uppermost surface of

a town perched on top of a hill

■ so as to cover; over

trays stacked one on top of another

■ in close proximity to

we all lived on top of each other

2) in command or control of

he couldn't get on top of his work

3) in addition to

on top of everything else, he's a brilliant linguist

* * *

on top of

1 : on the highest or upper part of (something or someone)

The house sits on top of a hill.

Put the card back on top of the deck.

Books and papers were piled on top of each other.

I fell to the ground and the dog jumped on top of me.

2 : in control of (something) : doing the things that are needed to deal with (something)

You can count on them to be on top of things when problems develop.

“Can you get this done by next week?” “Don't worry. I'm on top of it.”

She's not on top of her game this morning. [=she is not performing well this morning]

3 : aware of what is happening in (a particular area of activity)

She tries to keep/stay on top of current events.

4 : very close to or near (someone or something)

The deadline was on top of them before they knew it.

The houses are built right on top of each other.

5 : in addition to (something)

You owe me $20, and that's on top of the $40 you owe me from earlier.

On top of everything else, he lost his job.

6

◇ In British English, if something gets on top of you, it becomes too difficult for you to handle or deal with.

Planning their wedding was starting to get on top of them.

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