run like a top

verb

To operate flawlessly and smoothly.

“I've just tuned my car, and now it's running like a top.”

Opposite
like shit
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Meanings

verbrun like a top (third-person singular simple present runs like a top, present participle running like a top, simple past ran like a top, past participle run like a top)

present singular third person runs like a top · participle present running like a top · past ran like a top

  1. usuallysimileTo operate flawlessly and smoothly.

    I've just tuned my car, and now it's running like a top.

    Antonyms: like shit

Synonyms & antonyms

verbTo operate flawlessly and smoothly.

Opposite
like shit

Origin

Derived from comparison to the smooth, balanced manner of the operation of a spinning top.

Full word history & related roots →
Cite this entry
APA

run like a top. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 5, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/run%20like%20a%20top

MLA

“run like a top.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/run%20like%20a%20top. Accessed November 5, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “run like a top,” accessed November 5, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/run%20like%20a%20top.

Source: run like a top on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.