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Meaning & use

off the charts

phrase·Everydayinformal

Last updated

UK/ˌɒf ðə ˈtʃɑːts/
US/ˌɔːf ðə ˈtʃɑːrts/

Meanings

  1. phraseidiominformal

    So high, large or extreme that it goes beyond the normal range of measurement.

    Grammar: Follows be or a linking verb and needs no object: her energy is off the charts.

    Patterns

    • be off the charts
    • something is off the charts

    The demand for tickets was off the charts.

    His test scores were off the charts compared with the rest of the class.

    Stress levels at the hospital were off the charts last winter.

  2. phraseidiominformalapproving

    Extremely impressive, exciting or skillful, used as strong praise in informal talk.

    Grammar: Often used after a noun phrase in speech: the performance was off the charts.

    Patterns

    • something is off the charts

    The singer's talent is off the charts.

    Their chemistry on screen was off the charts.

Common combinations

completely off the charts
Prices are completely off the charts this summer.
go off the charts
Interest in the game went off the charts overnight.
scores off the charts
His math scores were off the charts.
temperatures off the charts
Temperatures were off the charts during the heat wave.

Synonyms and how they differ

sky-high
Sky-high usually describes prices or hopes and is always about being very high, while off the charts can be about anything extreme.
phenomenal
Phenomenal is a single adjective that is more neutral and always positive, whereas off the charts can be good or bad.
through the roof
Through the roof is very similar but usually describes amounts that rose fast, such as prices or anger.
extraordinary
Extraordinary is formal and fits writing, while off the charts is more casual and vivid.

Opposites

averageordinary

Word family

chart noun
a diagram or table showing information
chart verb
to record or follow the progress of something
charts noun
the lists of the best-selling music

Commonly confused: off the charts or top of the charts?

off the charts vs top of the charts

Top of the charts means number one in music sales or a ranking. Off the charts means beyond any normal measure.

Practice

The lecturer's popularity with students is off the charts. What does this say?

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