top the mark

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "top the mark" is not a standard expression in written English and may not be widely recognized.
It could be used in contexts where you want to indicate surpassing a standard or achieving a high level, but it may confuse readers due to its ambiguity. Example: "In this competition, we aim to top the mark set by last year's winners."

News & Media

Sports

General

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

He was one of three drivers to top the mark of 189.883 m.p.h.

The New York Times - Sports

Three nights after breaking the record in the 100 breaststroke, Hansen won in 2 minutes 9.04 seconds to top the mark of 2 09.42, set by Kosuke Kitajima of Japan last July.

The New York Times - Sports

The forecast there is near the maximum for this storm, and final amounts could top the mark for its biggest snowstorm on record: 24.1 inches in early March 1985.

The Washington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Held under 100 yards seven times in his first eight games, Johnson now has topped the mark three times in his last four outings for Tennessee (7-5).

The New York Times - Sports

She easily topped the mark.

Los Angeles Times

The two-game total topped the mark of 23 shared by USC's Rob Johnson and Maryland's Scott Milanovich.

Los Angeles Times

I'd show them the view from the Top of the Mark bar at the Mark Hopkins hotel.

BBC

Main courses rarely top the £9 mark.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Both Inkster and Kane can top the $1 million mark with victories this week.

The New York Times - Sports

Ms. Graeber predicted that it would take four more years to top the 50percentt mark.

The New York Times - Tech

Most analysts agree that new home sales will top the 500,000 mark in 2015.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "top the mark", ensure the context clearly indicates what standard or level is being exceeded. Consider using more common alternatives like "exceed the standard" for better clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "top the mark" excessively in formal or academic writing. While grammatically correct, it may sound less professional than alternatives like "surpass the goal" or "exceed expectations".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "top the mark" functions as a verb phrase indicating the action of surpassing or exceeding a specific target or standard. As Ludwig AI suggests, it indicates surpassing a standard or achieving a high level.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Sports

30%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "top the mark" means to exceed a certain level or standard. While grammatically acceptable, Ludwig AI indicates that it is not a very common expression, suggesting that alternatives such as "exceed the standard" or "surpass the goal" might be clearer and more appropriate in formal contexts. The phrase is most frequently found in news and media sources, often in the context of sports or business achievements. When using "top the mark", ensure that the context clearly defines what standard is being surpassed to avoid any ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

exceed the standard

Focuses more on surpassing a specific benchmark or requirement.

surpass the goal

Highlights exceeding a specific target or objective.

beat the record

Implies breaking a previously established high score or achievement.

outdo the benchmark

Similar to exceeding, but with a stronger sense of surpassing a standard.

better the previous result

Focuses on improving upon a past outcome.

exceed expectations

Highlights performing beyond what was anticipated.

improve upon

General term indicating enhancement or betterment.

raise the bar

Idiomatic expression suggesting setting a higher standard for future performance.

break new ground

Implies achieving something unprecedented or innovative.

excel beyond

Emphasizes exceptional performance surpassing a limit.

FAQs

How can I use "top the mark" in a sentence?

You can use "top the mark" to indicate exceeding a certain level or standard. For example, "The team needed to "top the mark" set by the previous champions to win the competition".

What does "top the mark" mean?

"Top the mark" means to surpass or exceed a certain level, standard, or goal. It suggests achieving something better than what was previously set or expected.

What are some alternatives to "top the mark"?

Alternatives to "top the mark" include "exceed the standard", "surpass the goal", or "beat the record". The best alternative depends on the specific context.

Is "top the mark" a formal or informal expression?

"Top the mark" is generally considered less formal. In professional or academic settings, using alternatives like "exceed expectations" or "better the previous result" might be more appropriate.