[on top of] {prep}.
1. On the top of; standing or lying on; on.
* /When the player on the other team dropped the ball, Bill fell on top of it./* /That high hill has a tower on top of it./
2. {informal} Very close to.
* /The elevator was so crowded that everybody was on top of each other./* /I couldn't find my umbrella and then I realized I was almost on top of it./
3. {informal} In addition to; along with.
* /Mrs. Lane had many expenses and on top of everything else, her baby became ill./* /Mary worked at the store all day and on top of that she had to baby-sit with her brother./
4. {informal} Managing very well; in control of.
* /Although his new job was very complicated, John was on top of it within a few weeks./* /No matter what goes wrong, Mary always stays on top of it./
5. Knowing all about; not falling behind in information about; up-to-date on.
* /Mary stays on top of the news by reading newspapers and magazines./* /When he was in California, Mr. Jones kept on top of things in his office by telephoning every day./
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