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Over The Top

The Modal Verb "Might"

Date: Dec 06 2011

Themes: Soap Opera

Grammar: Modal Verbs

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It’s often possible to have too much of a good thing. Take, for instance, your favorite beverage. Whatever it is, if you pour too much in a glass, it will spill over the top and make a mess!
“Over the top” is an expression used to describe something that is too extreme in some way. If music is too loud, you can say it’s over the top. If someone you just met starts buying you flowers and calling you every day, you could say their behavior is over the top.

But being over the top is not always a bad thing. If you go to a concert and there are lights, fireworks and backup singers, you might walk out and happily say, “That was over the top!” And, of course, what is over the top to one person, may be perfectly reasonable to another. Devan recently got engaged. It’s time for her to choose a dress. But, as Marni finds out, Devan’s expectations may be a little over the top.

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Dialog

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Devan

Marni

Marni: This is so exciting. I can’t wait to see you try on dresses.

Devan: Yeah, I’m excited, too, but I’m kind of nervous. All the dresses in the window were so over the top.

Marni: Well, what do you mean?

Devan: They were all so big and pouffy and white.

Marni: Yeah, most wedding dresses are white. But I heard that they have a lot of different styles at this place. I’m sure you can find something that’s not too over the top.

Devan: OK, but I definitely don’t want sparkles. I hate sparkles. And I don’t want anything one-shouldered. But I don’t want anything strapless. And I don’t think I want sleeves either. I don’t want anything lacy. I don’t want anything Victorian. I don’t want anything too modern. I don’t want anything totally ‘80s…I don’t want it to have sequins. Marni? Hey! Are you sleeping?

Marni: No…I uh…It’s just that…I think your expectations might be a little over the top.

Devan: What? What do you mean?

Marni: Well, so far all I’ve heard is all the things that you don’t want. I mean, what about all the things that you do want in a dress? There has to be something here that you would like.

Devan: There is. Like…that!

Marni: That?

Devan: This one. I think this is it. I think I found my dress. I think it’s perfect.

Marni: Well, it’s definitely not over the top.

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Discussion

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Marni helps her friend Devan shop for a wedding dress. They are excited, but the dresses in the window make Devan a little nervous. She wants something simple and they all seem over the top.

Devan begins to list the things she doesn’t want in a dress. The list is so long that Marni falls asleep. When Devan wakes her up, Marni tells her that maybe her expectations are over the top.

But suddenly, Devan sees the perfect dress. She holds it up. It’s plain and white. Definitely not over the top. Do you like things that are over the top, or do you prefer simplicity?

Comments

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samirah

Saudi Arabia

the dress that was chosen by the girl in the video is very very simple , is she sure that it is wedding dress !! lol .It depends on the girl herself .some girls need a simple touch to shine , while others need more effort to get the dress that corresponding with their body shape ,in some cases , wearing a dress on that have sequins is a comauflage .

inezaltar

Portugal

I sometimes like things which are over the top, today I wore a long wine-coloured brocade skirt with a kimono cut, with three miniature crystal flowers where I bought it there was an execution, I missed finding out more on the case, because I had been endlessly electronically harassed, and I am also concerned if my father was also facing execution, regardless of physical reconstruction which might inhibit DNA identification, he was born in the first third of the past twentieth century and had been blind unless that had been corrected

lovina77

Sudan

simplicity is good just for a daily Endeavors,but not for important occasion,like weding,you need to be speacial,speacialy in ur weding,so i prefer to be over the top a little bit.

goodmahsa

Iran, Islamic Republic Of

when I am speaking about sth out of my mind I should say I prefer to wear sth in middle not that much extreme to be called over the top not this much simple(Daven’s choice)but in reality I can not tell you what will be my choice for 100 percent, it depends how do I look in it ? whether it looks good in me or not

Ryo

Saudi Arabia

My room is not e simple nither over the top for other

the other need is not like what i need

this reflects myself

simplicity thats NOT me

im not sure too much about whats mean over the top

but what i think thats sometimes means somthing postive and sometomes means old thing

nahla1

Sudan

too high or not cheap

analee

Malaysia

why can’t i play the vedio?

wwongsapun

Thailand

I have been in this situation with Devan. It’s special day for bride.So which should the nice dress for that day. I like to wear simplicity dress but hidden some thing that to seduce to looking… Hahahahaha

denisezhao86

China

I don’t like the wedding dress that Deavan finally chose,it’s too simple,like a bridemaid’s dress.I like the wedding dress which having lace,sequins,like a princess.

winter_sonata_nw

Egypt

when it comes to dresses, I have my own choice. I like dresses neither over the top nor plain. Instead,I think the perfect dress is the one which is simple.different in style.has its own taste and when you show up.you pay the attention of all people in .It is the dress that makes you special .I think I can be a fashion-designer.lol

candycandice

Sweden

Simplicity is good for the everyday, but sometimes you need to do things over the top for to reach success. I usually make my tasks at school over the top. That can make one often get grades over the top.

candycandice

Sweden

Plain and white can be nice too for a wedding, but personally I would choose a dress a little bit over the top, because you don’t get married every day.

99qingkong

China

i love the simple dress too,it’s really perfect and graceful,and and i wanna buy it.

MUHAMMAD92

Saudi Arabia

i like moman wear simple dress.

orange.juice

Switzerland

her taste was awful i wouldnt make the same choice, my wedding dress will be more imperssive and glamorous

selvgali

Honduras

Devan is over the top

Kropeczka

Poland

I prefer simplicity, all things with sparkles aren’t for me. I don’t want to look like fireworks. My wedding dress was very simple and i think it was lovely :)