“Top of the list” refers to high priority matters or expected events. It can be used for concrete or abstract situations and can be personified. Similar phrases include “first in line” or “first in queue.” Younger English speakers may prefer shorter phrases like “next for review.”
The “top of the list” English idiom refers to something that is expected to be used, accepted, or any other event. It also refers to matters of the highest priority. This phrase is used by English speakers to indicate a hierarchy of eligibility.
“Top of the list” is a pretty literal saying. A list, in a technical sense, often establishes the priority or order of use. Therefore, being at the top literally refers to the next item in the list, in some order. Other phrases, such as “next on the list,” have the same meaning.
Some English speakers will change this phrase slightly to personify it. In a personal sense, the phrase would be “top of my list” or “top of my list”. A slightly different meaning applies to these sentences; some English speakers use them, not out of priority, but to express affection or general preference. For example, someone might tell someone else, “You’re first on my list,” as an expression of special affection.
Other phrases are similarly used for priority. One of these is “first in line”, where someone or something that is said to be called or used next. In British English, “first in the queue” is another alternative.
This phrase can be used for concrete nouns or, in more abstract situations. For example, someone might say that a building is “top of the list” for demolition or maintenance, where the statement states that that specific building is high priority. Alternatively, some might say that a business is ‘top of the list’ for local government interest, where the real issue is a little more intangible.
Using this idiom can also be done in different ways in terms of syntax. It is common for someone to use it as a simple conditional sentence for a subject. Also, someone might use the phrase at the start of a sentence, saying “At the top of the list, we have…”
In modern English speech, the longer idiomatic phrase may not be used as much as previously. Some younger English speakers prefer short functional sentences. For example, instead of saying something is “top of the list,” someone might say it’s “next for review.”
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