idiom (v) · neutral

come out on top

UK/kʌm aʊt ɒn tɒp/US/kʌm aʊt ɑn tɑp/COME·out·on·TOP

speakingtask2

to finish as the winner or to have the best result

Examples

Despite fierce competition, our team came out on top in the regional finals.

He worked through setbacks and came out on top in the end.

In a tight election, the candidate who stayed calm came out on top.

Band 8 sentence

Despite limited funding and strong rivals, the small startup came out on top because of its innovative approach.

Collocations

  • come out on top in/after
  • eventually/ultimately come out on top

Word family

come out on top v.phrase

Common mistakes

come out on the topcome out on top

come on topcome out on top

Say it for a higher band

5win6be successful7+come out on top

Synonyms

win

prevail

Easily confused

come out ahead

After negotiating for hours, they came out ahead financially.

Related words

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In Success

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