Meaning & use
top form
Last updated
UK/ˌtɒp ˈfɔːm/
US/ˌtɑp ˈfɔrm/
Meaning
noununcountable
The condition of performing, playing or feeling at your very best.
Grammar: Uncountable, normally after on or in: on top form.
Patterns
- on top form
- in top form
- be at top form
The striker was on top form and scored twice.
She was in top form during the debate.
The band were on top form at last night's concert.
Common combinations
- on top form
- The champion was on top form.
- in top form
- He arrived in top form for the final.
- back on top form
- After her injury she is back on top form.
- show top form
- The team showed top form.
Synonyms and how they differ
- peak condition
- Peak condition is more formal and mainly physical, while top form also covers performance and mood.
- fine fettle
- Fine fettle is old-fashioned and often about health, whereas top form is common in sport.
- on fire
- On fire is slangier and suggests a hot streak, not a general level.
Opposites
off formout of sorts
Word family
- form noun
- how well a person is performing
- top adjective
- highest in quality
- formidable adjective
- impressively strong
- in form phrase
- performing well
Commonly confused: top form or school form?
top form vs school form
Form meaning a school class or a paperwork document is different from form as level of performance.
Practice
The goalkeeper was ___ top form and saved everything.
Choose one answer.
The usual pattern is on top form. The other prepositions are not used in this idiom.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “top form”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.
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