topped out

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "topped out" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that something has reached its maximum limit or peak, often in contexts like construction or finance. Example: "The building has topped out at 50 stories, marking a significant milestone in the construction project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

She topped out and leaped off.

The New Yorker

Ticket prices topped out at almost $850.

The New York Times - Sports

But the top has topped out".

The New York Times - Sports

Their budget topped out at $700,000.

The New York Times

That one topped out at 665 Gbps.

The Guardian - Tech

It topped out at 131.96 m.p.h.

The New York Times

He later topped out at 90 m.p.h.

The New York Times - Sports

Its sales topped out at 900,000.

The Guardian - Business

Its speedometer topped out at 220 m.p.h.

The New York Times - Sports

It topped out three times at 87.

The New York Times - Magazine

Suddenly, strategy sessions topped out at 30 minutes.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about a building project, use "topped out" to specifically indicate the completion of the structure's framework, not necessarily the entire project. It's a milestone, but interior work may still be ongoing.

Common error

Avoid using "topped out" to mean that a project is entirely finished. This phrase specifically refers to the structural completion of a building or reaching a peak value, and further work may still be needed.

Linguistic Context

The phrasal verb "topped out" functions primarily as a descriptive term, indicating that something has reached its maximum or highest point. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and usable status. Examples in Ludwig show it describing limits in prices, speeds, sales, and physical structures.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Academia

10%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Science

4%

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "topped out" is a versatile phrasal verb that accurately describes the attainment of a maximum level or structural completion. Ludwig AI validates its correctness and high frequency of use across various domains, predominantly in News & Media. It's essential to consider the specific context to ensure accurate usage, avoiding confusion with overall project completion. When writing about a situation where something has reached its highest level, remember that some similar phrases are: ""reached its peak"", ""reached its maximum"", or "peaked".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

reached its peak

Focuses on the highest point achieved, similar to "topped out" but without the construction connotation.

reached its maximum

Emphasizes the limit attained, providing a more formal alternative.

peaked

A shorter, more direct synonym emphasizing the point of highest achievement.

reached its limit

Highlights the boundary or constraint that has been met.

maxed out

An informal alternative, commonly used in financial or technical contexts.

culminated

Suggests a final, decisive point after a period of development.

leveled off

Indicates that a quantity has stopped increasing, similar to reaching a plateau.

reached saturation

Emphasizes that no more can be added or absorbed.

completed construction

Specifically refers to finishing the uppermost part of a building.

achieved its highest level

A more descriptive alternative indicating the attainment of a peak value.

FAQs

How is "topped out" typically used in a sentence?

The phrase "topped out" is used to describe something that has reached its highest point or limit. For example, "The housing market "reached its peak" last year" or "Her salary "reached its maximum" after her promotion".

What are some alternatives to using "topped out"?

Depending on the context, you can replace "topped out" with phrases such as ""reached its peak"", ""reached its maximum"", or "peaked".

Is it correct to use "topped out" in a financial context?

Yes, "topped out" can be used in a financial context to describe when a market, stock, or other financial instrument has reached its highest value before declining. For example, "The stock price "reached its peak" at $50 per share".

What does "topped out" mean in the context of construction?

In construction, "topped out" refers to the completion of the structural framework of a building, signifying that the highest point has been reached. This is different from the overall completion of the project. After the building has "reached its highest level" interior work may still need to be completed.