Top and tail something

verb

Remove the ends of a fruit, vegetable or fish.

Top and tail the strawberries, then cut them in half.
Visual representation of "top and tail something" - Remove the ends of a fruit, vegetable or fish

Often appears as...

  • top and tail the beans
  • top and tail the fish
verb

Give a baby a quick wash focusing only on the face and bottom areas.

I don't have time to give the baby a full bath, so I will top and tail her.
Visual representation of "top and tail something" - Give a baby a quick wash focusing only on the face and bottom areas

Often appears as...

  • top and tail the baby
  • ready to top and tail
verb

Remove the ends of a fruit, vegetable or fish.

Top and tail the strawberries, then cut them in half.
Visual representation of "top and tail something" - Remove the ends of a fruit, vegetable or fish

Often appears as...

  • top and tail the beans
  • top and tail the fish
verb

Give a baby a quick wash focusing only on the face and bottom areas.

I don't have time to give the baby a full bath, so I will top and tail her.
Visual representation of "top and tail something" - Give a baby a quick wash focusing only on the face and bottom areas

Often appears as...

  • top and tail the baby
  • ready to top and tail
Definition 1 of 2
Visual representation of "top and tail something"
LampPro Tip 1/3

Cooking Preparation

Use 'top and tail' to describe preparatory steps before cooking fruits or vegetables.

Illustration for Cooking Preparation
Could you top and tail the carrots so we can add them to the roast?
LampPro Tip 2/3

Visual Action

'Top and tail' often implies cutting off very small parts from both ends.

Illustration for Visual Action
Top and tail the green beans before blanching them.
LampPro Tip 3/3

Culinary Context

The phrase is especially common with garden produce like beans, strawberries, and fish.

Illustration for Culinary Context
We need to top and tail the strawberries for the tart.
LampPro Tip 1/3

Cooking Preparation

Use 'top and tail' to describe preparatory steps before cooking fruits or vegetables.

Illustration for Cooking Preparation
Could you top and tail the carrots so we can add them to the roast?
LampPro Tip 2/3

Visual Action

'Top and tail' often implies cutting off very small parts from both ends.

Illustration for Visual Action
Top and tail the green beans before blanching them.
LampPro Tip 3/3

Culinary Context

The phrase is especially common with garden produce like beans, strawberries, and fish.

Illustration for Culinary Context
We need to top and tail the strawberries for the tart.
LampPro Tip 1/3

Cooking Preparation

Use 'top and tail' to describe preparatory steps before cooking fruits or vegetables.

Illustration for Cooking Preparation
Could you top and tail the carrots so we can add them to the roast?
LampPro Tip 2/3

Visual Action

'Top and tail' often implies cutting off very small parts from both ends.

Illustration for Visual Action
Top and tail the green beans before blanching them.
LampPro Tip 3/3

Culinary Context

The phrase is especially common with garden produce like beans, strawberries, and fish.

Illustration for Culinary Context
We need to top and tail the strawberries for the tart.
Visual representation of the word "Top and tail something"

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