top bottom

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English - English

Definition of top bottom in English English dictionary

bottom rail on top
(deyim) When one formerly in a position of weakness or subservience gains power or dominance over his former oppressor. Originally referred to the idea of black slaves gaining power over their ex-owners in the wake of the US Civil War

A freed black slave in the Union Army saw his ex-owner being led away in chains as a prisoner and said to him, Hello massa, bottom rail on top this time..

from top to bottom
from head to toe, from the basement to the roof-beams
top bottom

    Hyphenation

    top bot·tom

    Turkish pronunciation

    tôp bätım

    Pronunciation

    /ˈtôp ˈbätəm/ /ˈtɔːp ˈbɑːtəm/

    Etymology

    [ 'täp ] (noun.) before 12th century. Middle English, from Old English; akin to Old High German zopf tip, tuft of hair.
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