top and tail English

Meaning top and tail meaning

What does top and tail mean?

top and tail noun

— The top and bottom of something.

top and tail verb

— (transitive) To add to the beginning and end of (something), such as the salutation and valediction added to a letter.

— (transitive) To remove something from the top and bottom of (an item), for example when preparing carrots for cooking.

— (transitive, broadcasting) To set the limits of (an audio tape recording, a digital video file, etc.) by adding physical markers or by trimming unwanted portions.

— (transitive, colloquial) To bathe (a small child) in a minimal way by wiping its face and bottom.

— (transitive, rail transport, UK) To provide (a train) with a locomotive at each end, for ease of reversal.