Browse all

top out

B2 neutral inseparable intransitive
In simple words

To get as high as something can go and then stop going higher.

Literal meaning: To reach the very top of something.

Meanings

1 B2 idiomatic neutral

To reach the highest point or maximum value, after which no further increase occurs.

"House prices in the city topped out in early 2022 before falling sharply."

"Inflation topped out at around 11% before beginning its slow decline."

Grammar: inseparable
2 B2 idiomatic neutral

To reach the highest point in one's career, salary, or personal development.

"He felt he had topped out at middle management and decided to start his own company."

Grammar: inseparable
3 C1 neutral

(Construction) To complete the highest structural point of a building, often marked by a ceremony.

"Workers gathered on the roof to celebrate as the skyscraper topped out after three years of construction."

Grammar: inseparable
Usage notes

Commonly used in finance, economics, real estate, and sports contexts to describe prices, salaries, or performance reaching a ceiling. Also used in construction to refer to the completion of a building's highest structural point (topping out ceremony).

Commonly used with

price salary growth speed temperature market

Forms

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

Understand "top out" better

Try:

Real video examples

Video examples are being collected. Check back soon.

Synonyms

peak plateau reach a ceiling max out cap out level off

Want to master this phrasal verb?

Practice "top out" on Looplines