climbed to the top

USAGE SUMMARY

This phrase is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing somebody who has physically climbed up to the top of something, such as a mountain, tree, or building. Example sentence: He climbed to the top of the tallest tree in the forest.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He climbed to the top.

The New Yorker

climbed to the top of his new high-rise..

The New York Times - Arts

"We even climbed to the top of the temple.

The New York Times - Magazine

It has grown in size and climbed to the top of the social ladder.

The Economist

We climbed to the top of the stands, and settled into our nosebleed seats.

The New Yorker

Others climbed to the top of flagpoles and waved Saleh posters.

The New York Times

The craftsman uniquely climbed to the top of the social ladder.

The New York Times - Arts

I climbed to the top floor of a modern edifice that housed a bank.

The New Yorker

He climbed to the top in under an hour and rested at the summit.

The New Yorker

After all, he climbed to the top after overcoming longtime addictions to drugs and alcohol.

The New York Times

He went walking in the mountains and climbed to the top of Monte Rosa.

The Guardian - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "climbed to the top" to describe both physical ascents and metaphorical achievements, such as reaching the pinnacle of a career or overcoming a challenge. Ensure the context clarifies whether it's a literal or figurative climb.

Common error

Avoid substituting "to" with other prepositions like "at" or "on" when using "climbed". The correct form is "climbed to the top", indicating movement towards a specific destination.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "climbed to the top" functions primarily as a verb phrase, describing the action of ascending to the highest point. Ludwig AI confirms this phrase is correct and widely used. It is often used both literally, referring to physical climbing, and figuratively, referring to achieving success.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

79%

Science

9%

Encyclopedias

2%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Wiki

2%

Academia

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "climbed to the top" is a versatile expression used to describe both physical ascents and metaphorical achievements. Grammatically correct and widely accepted, as confirmed by Ludwig AI, this phrase commonly appears in news articles and various other contexts. Its usage extends beyond literal climbing to encompass success in careers and other endeavors. The related phrases, like "reached the summit" and "attained the peak", offer alternative ways to express similar meanings. While generally neutral in register, the phrase benefits from careful use of prepositions to maintain grammatical accuracy. The phrase's pervasive use in reputable sources underscores its reliability and adaptability in diverse writing scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

reached the summit

Focuses on reaching the highest point of a mountain or similar geographical feature.

attained the peak

Emphasizes the act of reaching the highest level or point, often in a metaphorical sense.

ascended to the summit

Implies a more gradual and perhaps challenging climb to the top.

scaled to the top

Highlights the act of climbing, often suggesting a difficult ascent.

made it to the top

A more general phrase indicating success in reaching a high position or goal.

rose to the top

Suggests a natural or gradual movement upwards, often in a career or social context.

gained the highest position

Focuses on achieving the most elevated rank or status.

achieved the highest rank

Specifically refers to obtaining the top position in a hierarchical system.

worked their way to the top

Emphasizes the effort and dedication required to reach a high level.

progressed to the top

Highlights the gradual advancement and development towards a high position.

FAQs

What does "climbed to the top" mean?

The phrase "climbed to the top" can literally mean ascending to the highest point of something physical like a mountain, or figuratively mean achieving the highest level of success in a career or field.

How can I use "climbed to the top" in a sentence?

You can use "climbed to the top" in sentences like: "After years of hard work, she climbed to the top of her profession" or "The hikers climbed to the top of the mountain to enjoy the view."

What are some synonyms for "climbed to the top"?

Alternatives include "reached the summit", "attained the peak", or "rose to the top", depending on the context.

Is "climbed at the top" grammatically correct?

No, "climbed at the top" is not grammatically correct. The correct preposition to use is "to", as in "climbed to the top". "To" indicates movement or direction towards the highest point.