Meaning of "off the top"

[Sympathy]

1) One rule of thumb when tackling multiple-choice question. The test maker may tease you with an answer that off the top of your head might look right ?

What does "off" mean here ? The word isn't even necessary!

2) Similarly, classical literature usually explores themes of love, love lost, beauty or death. Modern passages are more likely to be about racism, coming of age, individual rights or technology.

I don't understand what "love lost" is ?

[Lost_Soul]

Hi,

off the top of one's head is an idiom, meaning offhand
off the top of one's hand
no love lost means animosity,
No love lost

[Alan]

Hi,

'Off' in the context suggests that it is something that bounces off your head, in other words it isn't if you like coming from your brain and hasn't been thought about 'inside' your head. An alternative meaning could be: without thinking about it seriously.

'Love lost' as a theme in classical literature refers to love that hasn't been fulfilled because circumstances have prevented it or because one of the two 'partners' in the love story hasn't had their love reciprocated.

Alan
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English as a Second Language
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