Cool MateThat's as high as it goes vs Top
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
That's as high as it goes
Top 5,000 (fairly common)
Top
Top 1,000 (very common)A2noun
Most common: Top
| That's as high as it goes | Top | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //ðæts æz haɪ əz ɪt ɡoʊz//🇺🇸 //ðæts æz haɪ əz ɪt ɡoʊz// | 🇬🇧 /["/tɒp/"]/🇺🇸 /["/tɑːp/"]/ |
| Meaning | It reaches its highest point. | the highest point or part of something |
| Example | The water level in the tank is full; that's as high as it goes. | He always wears a hat at the top of his head. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 5,000 (fairly common) | Top 1,000 (very common) |
| CEFR level | - | A2 |
| Part of speech | noun | |
| Collocations | as high as it gets, reach as high as, goes up to, not go higher, maximum level | extreme, very, cliff, at the top, on top, to the top, from top to bottom, extreme, very, cliff, at the top, on top, to the top, from top to bottom, halter, hooded, long-sleeved, bottle, lift, lift off, pop, get to, make it to, reach, at the top, on top, to the top, top of the agenda, top of the class |
| Antonyms | - | bottom, base |
| Common mistakes | Confusing with 'That's as low as it goes' when referring to a minimum., Using 'go' in past tense instead of present when talking about current limits., Saying 'that's as high that it goes', which is incorrect. | Confused with 'tip' but 'top' refers to the highest point., Using 'topped' incorrectly as a past tense with non-physical subjects., Misplacing 'top' when translating from languages with different structures. |
| Usage notes | Use this phrase when referring to a limit or maximum height. It is casual and can be used in conversations or informal writing. | Use 'top' to refer to the highest point in both physical and metaphorical contexts. It is appropriate in casual and formal settings but avoid it when discussing specific ranks, where 'first' may be more suitable. |
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Frequently asked questions: That's as high as it goes vs Top
What's the difference between That's as high as it goes and Top?
That's as high as it goes: It reaches its highest point. Top: the highest point or part of something
Which is more common: That's as high as it goes and Top?
Top is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
That's as high as it goes: The water level in the tank is full; that's as high as it goes. Top: He always wears a hat at the top of his head.
Can I use That's as high as it goes and Top interchangeably?
Not always. That's as high as it goes and Top are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.