O

[on the wrong foot]

See: [GET OFF ON THE WRONG FOOT].

[on the wrong side of the bed]

See: [GET UP ON THE WRONG SIDE OF THE BED].

[on the wrong track]  {adv. phr.}

Lost; pursuing the wrong lead.

Professor MacAlister confessed that his chemical experiments were on the wrong track.

Contrast: [BARK UP THE WRONG TREE].

[on time]  {adv.} or  {adj. phr.}

1. At the time arranged; not late; promptly.

The train left on time.

Mary is always on time for an appointment.

Contrast: [AHEAD OF TIME], [BEHIND TIME].

2. On the installment plan; on credit, paying a little  […]

[on top]  {adv.} or  {adj. phr.},  {informal}

In the lead; with success; with victory.

The horse that everyone had expected would be on top actually came in third.

* /Although John had been afraid that he was not prepared for the exam, he came out on  […]

[on top of]  {prep.}

1. On the top of; standing or lying on; on.

When the player on the other team dropped the ball, Bill fell on top of it.

That high hill has a tower on top of it.

2.  {informal}

Very close to.

* /The elevator was so  […]

[on top of the world] or [sitting on top of the world] also (Southern) [sitting on high cotton]  {adj. phr.},  {informal}

Feeling pleased and happy; feeling successful.

John was on top of the world when he found out that he got into college.

* /When  […]

[on trial]  {adv.} or  {adj. phr.}

1. For testing or trying out for a time before making a decision.

I was lucky that I had bought the machine on trial because I didn't like it and was able to return it.

* /Mother bought a new dishwasher on trial  […]

[on words]

See: [PLAY ON WORDS].

[on your life]

See: [NOT ON YOUR LIFE].