Can you say "Topped"

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TheShadow

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Hi,

P1: I am 5"8 now
P2: Really so you topped me i'm 5"7


Or

P1: I weigh 56 kg now
P2: Really? so you topped me i'm 54 kg

Thanks
 

riquecohen

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Yes, "topped" can be used in this context.
 

konungursvia

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Hi,

P1: I am 5"8 now
P2: Really so you topped me i'm 5"7


Or

P1: I weigh 56 kg now
P2: Really? so you topped me i'm 54 kg

Thanks

You can, but a sensitive and particular reader would find them a little out of place, given that topping someone is, in such a context, associated with a performance, rather than a competence, or particularly, an unalterable trait.

You can top me in the long jump one day, and I'll beat you another day. For me, height is not usually seen as that sort of a performance. I think I'm right in saying that.
 

5jj

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The fish is topping a weight, not another fish; if it were to top another fish, it would probably be in an angling competition.

I agree with konungursvia - "You can, but a sensitive and particular reader would find them a little out of place", except that I don't think the reader has to be very sensitive or particular to find them out of place.
 

TheShadow

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You can, but a sensitive and particular reader would find them a little out of place, given that topping someone is, in such a context, associated with a performance, rather than a competence, or particularly, an unalterable trait.

You can top me in the long jump one day, and I'll beat you another day. For me, height is not usually seen as that sort of a performance. I think I'm right in saying that.

What would you use instead of "top" ?
 

5jj

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What would you use instead of "top" ?
I think children might say, "you beat/top me by three inches/pounds", but I would simply say, if I were to say anything at all, "Oh, you're three inches taller/ pounds heavier than I am".
 
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