What does "Come out on top" mean?

To end up as the winner or in the best position. To emerge victorious from a competition or difficult situation.

How do you use "Come out on top" in a sentence?

Despite the challenges, she came out on top. We always come out on top eventually. He came out on top in the negotiation.

Come out on top

Slang Term BritishAmericanAustralian ★★★★★ Very Common Neutral

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Meaning: To end up as the winner or in the best position.

最终成为赢家或处于最有利的位置。

Acabar siendo el ganador o en la mejor posición.

最終的に勝者になること、または最も有利な立場に立つこと。

최종적으로 승자가 되다, 가장 유리한 위치에 서다.

To emerge victorious from a competition or difficult situation.

从竞争或困难处境中胜出。

Salir victorioso de una competición o situación difícil.

競争や困難な状況から勝利者として浮上すること。

경쟁이나 어려운 상황에서 승리를 거머쥐는 것.

Literal meaning: End up at the top position

Examples

Despite the challenges, she came out on top.
尽管困难重重，她还是脱颖而出
A pesar de los desafíos, ella salió vencedora
困難にもかかわらず、彼女は勝ち残った
어려움에도 불구하고 그녀가 최종 승자가 되었다.
We always come out on top eventually.
我们最终总是能胜出
Siempre acabamos ganando al final
私たちは最終的にはいつも勝つ
우리는 결국 항상 이긴다.
He came out on top in the negotiation.
他在谈判中占了上风
Él salió vencedor en la negociación
彼は交渉で勝った
그는 협상에서 우위를 차지했다.

Pronunciation

/kʌm aʊt ɒn tɒp/

Usage Guide

Context: victory, success, competition

Tone: triumphant, satisfied

✓ Do Say

Came out on top.
脱颖而出
Salió vencedor
勝ち残った
최종 승자가 됐어
We'll come out on top.
我们会胜出
Saldremos vencedores
私たちが勝つ
우리가 이길 거야
Always comes out on top.
总是胜出
Siempre sale vencedor
いつも勝つ
항상 이기더라

✗ Don't Say

Won
Won（赢了）
Won（Ganó）
Won（勝った）
Won (이겼다)
Succeeded
Succeeded（成功了）
Succeeded（Tuvo éxito）
Succeeded（成功した）
Succeeded (성공했다)

Common Mistakes

Very common expression
Implies overcoming obstacles

Origin & History

From rankings—being at the top position.

Etymology: English idiom

First recorded: Traditional

Cultural Context

Era: Traditional to present

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal

Pop culture: Common expression; Sports, business

Regional notes: Universal across English-speaking world.

Variations

Come out on topCame out on topComing out on top