off the top of one's head
Word Rarity
Uncommon
Frequency: Zipf frequency 4.32 in modern English
37
Scrabble Score
19
Letters
4
Syllables
10
Unique Chars
Meaning
prep_phrase
In an extemporaneous manner; without careful thought, preparation, or investigation.
prep_phrase
Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see off, top, head.
Example Sentences
- "I cannot think of any good examples off the top of my head, but give me a couple of hours and I'm sure I could come up with something."
- "Ideally, one would wish to explore them through a series of depth interviews extending over several months, rather than by a brief survey interview, which necessarily tends to elicit responses off the top of one's head."
- "These responses are not analyzed but are intended to discourage answers off the top of one's head to the next question, which explicitly asks if these situated responses reflect the strength of character on focus."
- "“Oh, I don't have my stuff with me, and I don't know her work phone number off the top of my head. Here, take one of my cards.” “Are you a lawyer, too?” he asked, and then perused her information."