Adjective

1. Bold; beyond normal, expected, or reasonable limits; excessive; outrageous.

   He has always had an independent style, but don't you think purple spiky hair is a bit over the top?

   • 2007, Bruce Jenkins, "The Chronicle Sports Columnist Blog," San Francisco Chronicle, 26 Aug,

     Myers went over the top in the clubhouse, berating a reporter who questioned Myers' terminology.

Usage notes

• Over the top occurs only following a copula as the object of a sentence, as above, whereas
• Over-the-top is used where the adjective occurs before the word it modifies, as

  He gave an over-the-top performance.

Adverb

1. Over the parapet of a trench, especially at the start of a futile attack.

   The men were sent over the top to their certain death.