Meaning & use
over the roof
Last updated
Meanings
phrasefixed phrase
Moving or positioned above the top surface of a roof, or passing across it from one side to the other.
Grammar: Used as a prepositional phrase after verbs of movement or position; it describes a literal path or location, not a feeling or increase.
Patterns
- go over the roof
- fly over the roof
- throw something over the roof
- climb over the roof
The ball went over the roof and landed in the neighbor's garden.
We watched a helicopter fly low over the roof of the old factory.
He threw the rope over the roof so it hung down on the other side.
phrasefixed phrase
Extending from one side of a building to the other across the top of the roof.
Grammar: Often used with verbs like stretch, reach, or run to describe something that spans the roof.
Patterns
- stretch over the roof
- run over the roof
- reach over the roof
A thick cable runs over the roof to connect the two wings of the house.
The vines had grown over the roof, covering the tiles completely.
They built a wooden walkway over the roof so workers could move safely.
Common combinations
- go over the roof
- The kite went over the roof and disappeared from sight.
- fly over the roof
- Birds often fly over the roof at dawn.
- throw something over the roof
- Don't throw the ball over the roof; you might break a window.
- climb over the roof
- The cat climbed over the roof and got stuck in the gutter.
- stretch over the roof
- The awning stretches over the roof to provide shade.
- look over the roof
- From the hill, you can look over the roof of the church.
Synonyms and how they differ
- above the roof
- Focuses on a position higher than the roof, not necessarily moving across it; 'over the roof' often suggests movement from one side to the other.
- across the roof
- Emphasizes moving from one side of the roof to the other; 'over the roof' can also mean simply above it without crossing.
Opposites
Commonly confused: over the roof or go through the roof?
over the roof vs go through the roof
This is a common idiom meaning to rise very high or to become very angry. 'Over the roof' is only literal and does not carry those meanings.
Practice
Which sentence uses 'over the roof' correctly?
Choose one answer.
'Over the roof' is a literal phrase describing movement above a roof, as in option B. Options A, C, and D use it as if it were the idiom 'go through the roof' (meaning to rise sharply or become angry), which is incorrect.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “over the roof”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.