A dictionary of Confusable Phrases: More Than 10,000 Idioms and Collocations

on the top of something • on top of something
on the top of something —
1
. in the highest part of smth.: A
picnic party had been formed to take tea on the top of the
– 253 –
on the top of something

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hill. 2. resting on smth.: The lightning was attracted by the
acorn on the top of the chapel. 3. in the most important place:
He was on the top of the list of visitors permitted entrance to
the Kremlin.
Note: 
The expression does not fully correlate in meaning with
the phrase at the top of something—
1
. = on the top of something
1
: Go straight ahead up the hill and the Botanic Garden is on
the left at the top of the hill. 2. = on the top of something 3:
They are also at the top of the list of people the new Rwandan
government wants to execute. 3. (of a street, garden, etc.) at
the end that is furthest away from the speaker: The new building
is at the top of Victoria Street.
on top of something —
1
. = on the top of something 
1
: It was
incredibly weird to be standing on top of the world’s largest
ocean liner in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean 2. = on the
top of something 2: The new method provides a platform on
top of the satellite that is not spinning. 3. = on the top of some-
thing 3: To make sure that the Protestant religion stays on top
of the league in Northern Ireland, is what the Orange Order
is all about. 4. in addition to smth., especially an unpleasant
situation or event: He borrowed $50 from me and then, on
top of that, asked me if he could borrow my car too. 5. know-
ing all about the latest technology, market trends, etc.: Make
sure you stay on top of the latest developments and news.