Printer Friendly
Dictionary, Encyclopedia and Thesaurus - The Free Dictionary
1,518,462,028 visitors served.
forum mailing list For webmasters
?
New: Language forums
Dictionary/
thesaurus
Medical
dictionary
Legal
dictionary
Financial
dictionary
Acronyms
 
Idioms
Encyclopedia
Wikipedia
encyclopedia
?

topsy-turvy

   Also found in: Idioms, Encyclopedia, Wikipedia 0.06 sec.
top·sy-tur·vy  (tps-tûrv)
adv.
1. With the top downward and the bottom up; upside-down.
2. In or into a state of utter disorder or confusion: "turning our ordered life topsy-turvy" (Anne Tyler).
adj. top·sy-tur·vi·er, top·sy-tur·vi·est
1. Turned or positioned upside down; inverted.
2. Confused or disordered.
n. pl. top·sy-tur·vies
The quality or condition of being topsy-turvy.
[Probably from top + obsolete terve, to overturn (from Middle English terven).]
topsy-turvi·ly adv.
topsy-turvi·ness n.
topsy-turvy
Adjective
1. upside down
2. in a state of confusion
Adverb
in a topsy-turvy manner [probably top + obsolete tervy to turn upside down]
ThesaurusLegend:  Synonyms Related Words Antonyms
Adj.1.topsy-turvytopsy-turvy - in utter disorder; "a disorderly pile of clothes"
higgledy-piggledy, hugger-mugger, jumbled, disorderly
untidy - not neat and tidy; "careless and untidy in her personal habits"; "an untidy living room"; "untidy and casual about money"
Adv.1.topsy-turvytopsy-turvy - in a disordered manner; "they were piled up higgledy-piggledy"
higgledy-piggledy
2.topsy-turvytopsy-turvy - in disorderly haste; "we ran head over heels toward the shelter"
head over heels, heels over head, in great confusion, topsy-turvily
topsy-turvy
adjective confused, upside-down, disorderly, chaotic, messy, mixed-up, jumbled, inside-out, untidy, disorganized, disarranged << OPPOSITE orderly
Translations
topsy-turvy [ˈtɔpsɪˈtəːvɪ] adj, adv → patas arriba
topsy-turvy [ˈtɔpsɪˈtəːvɪ] adj, adv → sens dessus-dessous
topsy-turvy [ˈtɔpsɪˈtəːvɪ] adj → auf den Kopf gestellt
adv → durcheinander; [fall, land] → verkehrt herum
topsy-turvy [ˈtɔpsɪˈtəːvɪ] adj, adv → sottosopra inv


How to thank TFD for its existence? Tell a friend about us, add a link to this page, add the site to iGoogle, or visit webmaster's page for free fun content.
?Page tools
Printer friendly
Cite / link
Email
Feedback
Add definition
? Mentioned in ? References in classic literature
 
There was some sense in those matters; but as the parson told us last Sunday, nobody believes in the devil now-a-days; and here you bring about a parcel of puppets drest up like lords and ladies, only to turn the heads of poor country wenches; and when their heads are once turned topsy-turvy, no wonder everything else is so.
The History of Tom Jones, a Foundling by Fielding, Henry View in context
On Saturday, the thirty-first of August, everything in the Rostovs' house seemed topsy-turvy.
War and Peace by Tolstoy, Leo View in context
She is suffering so, it's sad to hee her; and besides, everything in the house is topsy-turvy.
Anna Karenina by Tolstoy, Leo View in context
More results
 
Dictionary/thesaurus browser? ? Full browser
 
 
Dictionary, Thesaurus, and Translations
?

Disclaimer | Privacy policy | Feedback | Copyright © 2009 Farlex, Inc.
All content on this website, including dictionary, thesaurus, literature, geography, and other reference data is for informational purposes only. This information should not be considered complete, up to date, and is not intended to be used in place of a visit, consultation, or advice of a legal, medical, or any other professional. Terms of Use.