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top it off

B1 informal inseparable transitive
In simple words

To add one last thing on top of everything else that already happened.

Literal meaning: To place something on the very top of a pile.

Meanings

1 B1 idiomatic informal

To add a final bad or ironic element to an already bad or remarkable series of events.

"I missed my train, forgot my wallet, and, to top it off, it started pouring with rain."

"And to top it off, we lost the game in the final minute."

Grammar: inseparable
2 B1 idiomatic informal

To add a final positive or impressive finishing touch to something good.

"The dessert was delicious and, to top it off, the chef came out to greet us personally."

Grammar: inseparable
Usage notes

Almost always used with 'to' as an infinitive clause following it: 'And to top it all off…'. The phrase is fixed; 'it' does not typically refer to a specific antecedent but functions as a dummy pronoun. Often used ironically or sarcastically to describe a final bad event in a bad day.

Commonly used with

day disaster mess embarrassment insult situation

Forms

Base
top it off
I/you/we/they
3rd person
tops it off
he/she/it
Past simple
toped it off
yesterday
Past participle
toped it off
have + pp
-ing form
toping it off
continuous

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Synonyms

cap it all to crown it all to make matters worse as a final touch and what's more to add insult to injury

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