off the top of one's head

alternative off the top of one's dome · alternative off the dome

1. idiomaticIn an extemporaneous manner; without careful thought, preparation, or investigation.

   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.

   3 more examples

   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.

   1990, Ronald Inglehart, Culture Shift in Advanced Industrial Society, Princeton University Press, →ISBN, page 130

   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.

   2004, Christopher Peterson, Martin E. P. Seligman, Character Strengths and Virtues: A Handbook and Classification, Oxford University Press, →ISBN, page 633

   “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.

   2008, Christine Son, Off the Menu, Penguin, →ISBN

   Synonyms: offhandedly, on the spot

2. Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see off, top, head.