top-of-the-tableadj.
/ˌtɒpə(v)ðəˈteɪbl/, U.S. /ˌtɑpə(v)ðəˈteɪb(ə)l/ Sport.
1. Billiards. Designating a style of play in which a player scores mainly by potting the red ball and keeping the opponent's ball close to the spot in order to facilitate cannons (see quot. 1902). Cf. top n.1 8c.
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1893 Daily News 19 Dec. 5/3 When he becomes more used to the ‘top of the table’ game played by our crack professionals, he will be seen to even greater advantage.
1902 Encycl. Brit. XXVI. 245/2 This method is known as top-of-the-table play, and may perhaps be best defined as an endeavour, after every cannon, to leave the opponent's ball near the spot and the red ball near a pocket, so that the next stroke may be an easy winning hazard, to be so played that either a spot-stroke or cannon may be left.
1927 Observer 20 Mar. 29 Prior..is essentially an all-round player with a tendency to make the top of the table game his chief scoring medium.
2012 Herald (Goa) (Nexis) 4 Apr. Be it the top of the table play executed with clinical ability, the three quarter ball contact in-off's, or the immaculate potting ability of this elegant cueist, it was just a sheer delightful display of artistry.
2. Designating a team that is at or near the top of the league table, or a match between two such teams.Not in common use in North America.
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1902 Birmingham Daily Mail 1 Aug. 4/5 Walsall went to Stourbridge, but rain prevented the top-of-the-table team from getting a couple of points. Walsall went in first and hit up 164 for seven wickets.
1932 Daily Mail 19 Nov. (Last ed.) 15/1 It is unfortunate for the Arsenal that in their top-of-the-table match with Aston Villa, in Birmingham to-day, they will be without Coleman.
2014 Daily Mirror (Nexis) 14 Nov. 4 Our next match is against top of the table Derby County and it's a great chance for us to get back on track and make a statement.
2022 Independent (Nexis) 11 Feb. At first glance, Chelsea and Arsenal's top-of-the-table clash in the Women's Super League tonight has all the ingredients needed to be a classic title decider.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, September 2022).
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adj.1893