Top Out (Verb)
Meaning 1
To reach the highest point; attain maximum intensity, activity; "That wild, speculative spirit peaked in 1929"; "Bids for the painting topped out at $50 million".
Classification
Verbs of walking, flying, swimming.
Examples
- Inflation is expected to top out at 5 percent next year and then begin to decline.
- Average temperatures typically top out in late July or early August in the region.
- The company's growth rate is expected to top out in the next quarter.
- Home prices were not expected to top out until the following spring.
- The stock market downturn had almost topped out by the beginning of the next year.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Hypernyms
Meaning 2
Provide with a top or finish the top (of a structure); "the towers were topped with conical roofs".
Classification
Verbs of buying, selling, owning.
Examples
- The building was designed to be topped out with a large dome that houses the library reading room itself.
- The church tower has been topped out with a spire that rises another 100 feet above the rest of the roof.
- Construction workers added the final steel beam to top out the skyscraper's framework.
- Once the main structure was built, they raised a crane to the site to top out the roof with a delicate finial.
- The cathedral was finally topped out with a soaring Gothic spire after years of restoration work.
Synonyms
Hypernyms
Meaning 3
Give up one's career just as one becomes very successful; "The financial consultant topped out at age 40 because he was burned out".
Classification
Verbs of political and social activities and events.
Examples
- The highly successful tech entrepreneur topped out in her late 30s, deciding to pursue more personal interests instead of further career growth.
- After winning numerous awards for her acting, the young star topped out and stepped away from the spotlight to focus on her family.
- He felt like he'd topped out as a corporate lawyer and couldn't bear the thought of another decade in the high-stress profession.
- Feeling unfulfilled despite her impressive résumé, the marketing executive topped out and transitioned to a role in non-profit work.
- The famous musician claimed he topped out after his third world tour and decided to spend more time on his own creative projects rather than pleasing his fans.