| Idiom | On Top of the World |
|---|---|
| Example | When Grandpa's girlfriend said that she'd marry him, he was on top of the world. |
| Meaning | feeling extremely happy |
| Origin | Many writers have used this famous expression since the early 1900s with the verb "sitting." "Down" has always suggested downhearted feelings such as sadness and depression (see "down in the dumps," page 48). But being "up" or "on top" has meant emotions such as delight and joy (see "walking on air," page 202, and "on cloud nine," page 131). "The world" represents everything, such as your life, your job, and your family. So, if you're sitting "on top of the world," you're overjoyed because of good health, success, and so on. |
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