off the top of one's head

The phrase "off the top of one's head" is commonly used to describe spontaneous or impromptu actions or responses.

πŸ‡ΊπŸ‡Έ US Voice:
πŸ‡¬πŸ‡§ UK Voice:

Definition

B2General

(informal)Done or said spontaneously, without prior thought or preparation.

Example

  • Off the top of my head, I can't remember his name.
  • She answered the question off the top of her head.

B2General

(informal)Based on immediate knowledge or perception, without needing to look up information.

Example

  • I don't know the exact number off the top of my head, but it's around 50.
  • He gave a rough estimate off the top of his head.

Similar

Terms that have similar or relatively close meanings to "off the top of one's head":

off one's headon one's headin one's headstraight from the shoulderover one's headfrom the top