Off the charts
Meaning: So extreme or impressive that it exceeds any normal measurement.
The metaphor of data that's so high it literally goes beyond the chart's range. Used for anything that exceeds expectations dramatically — talent, flavor, excitement, difficulty. It implies something is beyond what a normal scale can measure.
Examples
- The energy at that concert was off the charts. 那场演唱会的氛围爆表了。La energía en ese concierto estaba fuera de toda escala.あのコンサートのエネルギーは計り知れないほどだった。그 콘서트의 에너지는 측정 불가 수준이었다.
- His basketball IQ is off the charts — he reads the game better than anyone. 他的篮球智商超出图表范围——他比任何人都会读比赛。Su inteligencia para el baloncesto está fuera de toda escala — lee el juego mejor que nadie.彼のバスケIQは桁外れだ——誰よりも試合を読む力がある。그의 농구 IQ는 차트를 벗어나는 수준이다 — 누구보다 게임을 잘 읽는다.
- The spice level on those wings is off the charts. My mouth is on fire. 那些鸡翅的辣度爆表了。我嘴都要着火了。El nivel de picante de esas alitas se sale de la escala. Tengo la boca ardiendo.あのウイングの辛さは限界突破してる。口の中が燃えてるよ。저 윙의 매운 정도는 한계를 초월해. 입 안이 불타고 있어.
Pronunciation
Usage Guide
Context: extremes, impressiveness, measurement, talent
Tone: impressed, emphatic
✓ Do Say
- Off the charts!爆表了!¡Fuera de toda escala!Off the charts!(桁外れだ!)차트를 벗어나는 수준이야!
- Her talent is off the charts.她的天赋超出量表范围。Su talento se sale de las gráficas.Her talent is off the charts.(彼女の才能は計り知れない。)그녀의 재능은 측정 불가다.
✗ Don't Say
- Versatile enough for professional use — 'Customer satisfaction is off the charts' works in a business context在职场中也通用——'Customer satisfaction is off the charts'(客户满意度爆表)在商务场合也说得通Lo bastante versátil para uso profesional — 'La satisfacción del cliente se sale de las gráficas' funciona en un contexto empresarialビジネスでも使えるほど万能です——「Customer satisfaction is off the charts(顧客満足度は桁外れです)」はビジネスの場面でも通用します전문적인 상황에서도 충분히 쓸 수 있다 — '고객 만족도가 차트를 벗어나는 수준이다'는 비즈니스 맥락에서도 통한다
Origin & History
American English from the mid-20th century, originally used in business and science for data that exceeded the graph's parameters. It became mainstream slang for exceeding expectations by the 1980s-90s.
Cultural Context
Era: Mid-20th century onwards
Generation: All ages
Social background: Universal
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