tootoo /tuː/ ●●● S1 W1 adverb 
Do you think the music’s too loud? You’ve put too much salt in the soup. There are too many cars on the road.much/far too Amanda is far too young to get married.too ... for something/somebody I was getting too old for romantic relationships. My boots were three sizes too big for me.too ... to do something He was too ill to travel.too ... for somebody to do something The box was too heavy for me to lift.GRAMMARWord orderThe correct word order is too + adjective + a + noun: · It is too high a price to pay.· It’s too big a risk. ✗Don’t say: It is a too high price to pay. | It’s a too big risk.Comparisontoo• You use too before an adjective. You say: · The house is too expensive.too much• You use too much before a noun. You say: · The house costs too much money.• Don’t use too much before an adjective. ✗Don’t say: The house is too much expensive.2also: There were people from all over Europe, and America too. Can I come too? ‘I’m feeling hungry.’ ‘Me too.’ It’s a more efficient system and it’s cheaper too.GRAMMAR: Word order• Too is usually used at the end of a sentence or clause: · He was a teacher too.• In more formal English, too is also used near the beginning of a sentence, after the subject, or after an adverb or phrase: · We too must play our part.· Here, too, there are problems with the economy.3[+adjective/adverb] spoken used with a negative to mean ‘not very’: She doesn’t seem too upset about it. ‘What was the weather like?’ ‘Oh, not too bad.’ She was none too pleased (=not at all pleased) when I told her.4all too/only too used to emphasize that a particular situation exists when you wish it did not exist: Beggars are becoming an all too familiar sight in our cities. I regret to say that these rumours are only too true.5used to emphasize a remark that you are adding: ‘He’s been banned from driving.’ ‘A good thing too!’ ‘A woman farmer?’ asked Gabriel. ‘Yes, and a rich one too.’6I am/he is/you are etc too! especially American English informal used to emphasize that you disagree with what someone has said about someone or something: ‘You’re not smart enough to use a computer.’ ‘I am too!’7be too much for somebody used to say that something is so difficult, tiring, upsetting etc that someone cannot do it or bear it: Working full-time was too much for her. The shock was too much for him.8[+adjective/adverb] spoken formal very: Thank you. You are too kind.9be only too glad/pleased to do something to be very willing to do something: I’d be only too pleased to assist you.10too little, too late used to complain that not enough is being done to solve a problem and that the action did not start early enough: Doctors have criticized the government’s response to the crisis as too little, too late.
WORD ORIGINtoo
Origin:
Old English to ‘to, too’EXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
- "Seth finally got a job." "It's about time too."
- $200! That's way too expensive.
- Don't work too hard!
- Gary and Martha and the kids are coming to visit. They're bringing grandmother, too.
- I love you, too.
- I was too tired to get up off the couch.
- I wasn't able to get too much sleep last night.
- It's too early to go to dinner now.
- It's too hot in here.
- It's fast and comfortable. It's economical, too.
- It won't be too long before dinnertime.
- Military officials believed that the harbor was too shallow for torpedo launches.
- My room's too narrow for a king-size bed.
- She's still too upset to talk about it.
- The temperature was well below zero - much too cold to spend more than a few minutes on deck.
- They didn't give him the job. They said he was too old.
- Thursday is Vivian's birthday too.
- Adam struggled, but he was too weak and the storm-troopers tore his trousers off, leaving him stark naked.
- But we had an untrained and undisciplined group, with too many leaders, and things started to break down.
- Other kids complained it tasted great at first, but the aftertaste lingered too long.
- President Clinton likes it, too.
- Tamar's description, to him and Elizabeth, had been too vivid for him ever to confuse it.
- Think about what you owe, too, in terms of mortgages, credit cards, loans or hire purchase.
Longman Language Activatortoo
more than is right or necessary, or more than you want: · They didn't give him the job. They said he was too old.· Don't work too hard!· It's too hot in here.too big/small/tired etc to do something: · I was too tired to get up off the couch.· She's still too upset to talk about it.far too small/way too big etc: · $200! That's way too expensive.· The temperature was well below zero - far too cold to spend more than a few minutes on deck. too old/quick/big etc for: · My room's too narrow for a king-size bed.· Military officials believed that the harbor was too shallow for torpedo launches.
too much or too many use this about amounts or costs: · Jim drinks too much.· That kid talks too much.· You spend too much time worrying about things.far/way too much: · I'm sure my parents paid way too much for the land.· The surveys took up far too much time, and they were difficult to understand.too much for: · There was too much baggage for one person to carry.
use this about number of people or things: · I've brought some more chairs - I hope I didn't bring too many.· She can't come - she says she has too many things to do.far/way too many: · Far too many postgraduate students never finish their projects once begun.too many for: · There were too many bags for one person to carry.
formal too much of something: · an excess of alcohol· An excess of fertilizer is harmful to trees and other garden plants.
a situation in which there is too much of a product available at a particular time, which often results in the price of the product being cut: glut of: · A glut of bonds on the market pushed prices down.· When there is a glut of milk more products like yoghurt are made.
if you say that something is too much of a good thing , you mean that it would be good in small amounts but you have too much of it: · Many Koreans believe that the rush of foreign products may be too much of a good thing.· Getting six boxes of chocolates for my birthday was really too much of a good thing.
use this about an amount, cost, or level which is much too high, especially when you think it is wrong or unfair that it is so high: · The campaign is trying to stop the excessive use of chemicals in farming.· $10 for two cups of coffee seems excessive.· As usual, the opposition claims the government is guilty of excessive spending.
formal much more than is reasonable, especially when this is unfair to other people or means that other things are not given enough attention: · Scientists have been criticized for devoting an inordinate amount of time to research on animals.· a man of inordinate ambition
a situation in which something is done so much that it is no longer interesting or effective: · Of course, it's a serious disaster, but some of these sensational newspaper reports are just overkill.· Many felt that the money spent amounted to overkill, and that a cheaper, less glossy advertising campaign would have been just as effective.
to do something too much to do something with too much effort, so that you do not get the result you want: · You're hitting the ball too hard.· I think you've been working too hard - you need a rest· Many parents try too hard to engineer a safe environment for their child, with disastrous results.
especially spoken to do or say something too much, especially to do too much work or exercise: · You need more exercise, but be careful not to overdo it.· The tour guide managed to be funny and informative, without overdoing it.
to get too angry or too worried when something happens which is not in fact very serious: · Don't you think you're overreacting a little? I'm only ten minutes late.overreact to: · I think people have overreacted to the advertisement - we didn't intend of offend anyone.
to do something so much or to such a great degree that you offend, upset, or annoy people, especially because you do not know when it is reasonable to stop: · Officials were worried that the Chairman's criticisms had gone too far.· John had taken the joke too far and now Betty was crying.go too far/take sth too far in doing something: · We all agree there have to be some controls, but the government has gone too far in ordering all immigration to be stopped.
to do something so much, state something so strongly etc, that people consider your actions unacceptable and unreasonable: · Hunt went to such extremes to get his promotion that everyone at the office hates him now.· You don't have to go to extremes to become healthier - a little exercise and slight changes to your diet can work wonders.
if you do something to excess , you do it so much that it is wrong or harmful: · The government enthusiastically supports US foreign policy, sometimes to excess.· He drank to excess, occasionally causing scenes in front of CIA officials.
something you say or do that is over the top is extreme, so that it is either very funny and entertaining, or very annoying or offensive: · Some of his remarks about women were really over the top.· The show was supposed to be a kind of over-the-top satire - it wasn't supposed to be taken seriously.go over the top: · The movie's drawn-out finale goes over the top in its attempt to keep the audience in suspense.
to give someone too much work to do or try to make a system handle too much work: · We can't take money from a school system that is already overloaded.· They overloaded the computer system, and the whole thing just stopped.· Projects should stretch people and make them work hard, but not overload them.
use this humorously when you have eaten too much rich food or drunk too much alcohol: · Schneider told quite a funny story about how he had overindulged one night.· What's the point of a vacation, after all, if not to overindulge yourself?
British informal to talk too much about a subject or repeat a joke or story too often, so that no one is interested in it any more: · It was a good story a month ago, but the newspapers have really flogged it to death.
not needed because there is already enough an additional amount that is not wanted or needed because there is already enough of something: · Excess vitamin D can cause kidney damage in young children.· Cut off the excess fat from the meat before cooking.· The excess pounds had given him a double chin and a neck that made his shirt collar look too tight.
the additional amount of something, especially something that you produce or grow, which is more than you need and which can therefore be given or sold to other people: · The Gulf States produce more oil than they need and sell the surplus to the rest of the world.· Government subsidies have resulted in huge grain surpluses.· The budget surplus could be used to hire and train more border guards.
not too much · Not too much pizza for me please, I'm on a diet.· I won't give you very much homework tonight, so you have time to finish your essay.not eat/drink/talk etc too much · Don't talk too much now - you need to rest.
· You can have a few chips, but not too many.· Not very many people were interested in the project.
· I wasn't too upset when they told me I hadn't got the job.· It was a beautiful sunny day and not too cold.· Don't hit it too hard - just nudge it over the net.
not too much - use this about eating, drinking, and other things that could be unhealthy if you did them too much: · Moderate exercise, such as walking and swimming, can help to prevent heart disease.· New studies show that moderate drinking is good for you.
if you eat or drink something in moderation , you do not eat or drink too much of it: · He only drinks wine in moderation.· Children should be taught not about "bad foods" and "good foods," but rather to eat a wide variety of foods in moderation.
to not allow yourself to become so excited, annoyed etc by an event or situation that you lose a sense of what is reasonable, sensible, or possible: · My confidence was so low it was difficult to keep things in proportion -- the smallest problem seemed like a major tragedy.· The Party's recent successes in the polls are encouraging but they need to be kept in proportion.
and/also use this to join two things, actions, ideas etc in one sentence or in one part of a sentence: · We had coffee and hot buttered rolls.· Come in and sit down.· Maria finally turned around and confronted the man.· "We've got about ten friends coming to the party." "And half of your family."· This is a flexible and user-friendly system suitable for beginners and advanced users alike.
use this when you are adding another fact about someone or something, or when mentioning another person or thing: · François speaks perfect English. He also speaks German and Italian.· Sugar is bad for your teeth. It can also contribute to heart disease.· Chris came from England. Martin also.not only .... but also: · Meissner was not only commander of the army but also a close friend of the President.
use this when you are adding another fact about someone or something. Too is usually used at the end of a sentence: · Gary and Martha and the kids are coming to visit. They're bringing grandmother, too.· It's fast and comfortable. It's economical, too.
in addition to what you are mentioning: · Besides being my doctor, he's a really good friend of mine.· Martina's got other things to think about besides work.· She's bought a fridge, a freezer, a microwave, and lots of other things besides.· Besides going to aerobics twice a week, she rides horses on Saturdays.
at the same time as something else: · While you're at the store, could you get a few things for me as well?· Our vacation was a disaster: not only was the food terrible, the weather was awful as well.as well as: · As well as being a community worker, he's a fully qualified nurse.
use this when you are adding a fact that makes an amount of money, work, information etc even larger: · We'll have to pay $800 travel insurance in addition to the air fare.· In addition to their normal teaching duties, teachers these days have stacks of paperwork to do.· Our survey will produce the essential statistics. In addition, it will provide information about people's shopping habits.
too early · Too much success too early can cause you to grow overconfident.too early to do something · It's still too early to tell if the treatment is going to be effective.too early for · There aren't any raspberries in the stores yet. It's too early for them.far/way too early (=much too early) · We arrived far too early and had to wait outside for an hour.
happening too early after something else, or doing something much earlier than you should: · I don't think you should go back to work too soon after having the baby.too soon to do something: · It's too soon to say what effect the merger will have on the company's 1500 employeestoo soon for: · I knew it was too soon for any likely resolution of the problem.far/way too soon (=much too soon): · You can't get married next week! That's far too soon.· Lendl hit the ball way too soon.
written: untimely death/end much earlier than usual or expected, so that people are surprised by it: · Before his untimely death in 1991, Freddie Mercury was a brilliant singer and performer.meet an untimely end (=die early): · His grandfather had met an untimely end as the result of too much whisky.
happening before the normal or natural time: premature death/birth/ageing: · Alcoholism is one of the major causes of premature death.· It has been proved that sunbathing causes premature ageing of the skin.premature baby (=a baby that is born before the normal time): · Her baby was premature and weighed only 2kg.
informal to do or say something too early, before you know what is going to happen next, so that you risk making a mistake: · I think it would be jumping the gun to sign the agreement at this stage.· Surely it's jumping the gun to buy the ring before you've even asked her to marry you?
British if you say it's early days , you mean that it is still too early in a process or event to know what will happen: · It's still early days, but all the signs are that the operation has been a success.it's early days yet: · "It looks like Liverpool are going to win the championship.'' "Oh I don't know. It's early days yet.''
when clothes are not the right size · If the boots don't fit, we can return them tomorrow.not fit somebody · There was nothing wrong with the coat - we took it back to the shop because it didn't fit her.
· You can't wear your father's suit, it's far too big.· I have to buy Tim some new sandals. The ones he's wearing are too small.be too big/small for · Those jeans must be two sizes too big for you.
· I bought him a shirt, but it wasn't the right size.not be the right size for · That sweater won't be the right size for him -- he'll need an extra-large.
clothes that are tight are uncomfortable to wear because they are too small and press into your body: · I don't wear my black dress very much. It's very tight around the waist.· If your shirt collar's too tight, undo your top button.
if you can't get into a dress, skirt, trousers etc, you have difficulty putting them on because they are too small: · I put on five pounds over Christmas and now I can't get into these jeans.
what you say when someone or something is late spoken say this when someone arrives very late and you want to know why, because you are worried or annoyed: · Where have you been? You said you'd be here at three!
spoken say this when someone arrives late and you are a little annoyed: · "What kept you?" "I couldn't find my glasses."
British /it's about time American spoken say this when someone or something arrives or does something late, and you are annoyed because you have been waiting a long time: · "Look, here's the bus." "It's about time!"
British spoken say this when you are annoyed with someone because they have arrived very late: · What time do you call this, Martin? You were supposed to be here half an hour ago.
spoken say this when someone or something arrives or does something late but it does not matter very much: · "The pictures have finally arrived." "Well, better late than never."
British say this when you suddenly realize that it is later than you thought it was: · Oh my god, is that the time? I've got to go!
too late so late that you cannot do or achieve what you had planned: · I'm afraid you're too late - I've just sold the last ticket.arrive/finish etc too late: · We rushed to the store as soon as we left work but arrived too late.too late to do something: · They got to the airport too late to catch the plane.it is too late (to do something): · By the time the doctor arrived, it was too late; he was already dead.· It's never too late to learn a new language.
to arrive too late to see an event, film etc, or too late to get on a plane, train etc: · You'd better hurry or you'll miss the start of the show.miss the flight/train/bus/ferry: · I missed the bus and had to wait half an hour for the next one.
also a bit late in the day British spoken you say it's a little late when someone decides to do something but harm has already been done or there is no time left to do it: it's a little late for: · Perhaps it's a bit late in the day for apologies.it's a little late to do something: · It's a little late to start worrying about that now.
British also let it go too long American to wait too long before doing something so that you are not likely to achieve what you hoped to achieve: · At last the government has decided to lower interest rates, but I think they've let it go too long.leave it too late/a bit late to do something: · You might have left it a bit too late to apply for a place at university for this academic year.
when you wish that something had not happened or was not true use this to show that you wish something had not happened, or you wish something was not true: · There's nothing I can do about it, unfortunately.· Unfortunately, Dr Cole cannot spend as long with each patient as she would like.· We took some fantastic photos, but unfortunately the film got damaged.
unfortunately - use this to talk about events or situations that are very sad: · Sadly, this fine old theatre was destroyed by fire in 1993.· Alice was rushed to hospital, but sadly she died two hours later.
spoken say this to show that you feel disappointed or sad about something that has happened: · It's a pity about the weather - it was so nice yesterday.it's a pity/shame (that): · It's a shame you can't come with us.what a pity/shame! (=say this to show that you feel sad or sympathetic about something): · "Janet didn't get that job." "Oh, what a pity!"a real/terrible shame: · They've cut down all those beautiful trees. It's a terrible shame.
spoken use this to show that you feel upset about something sad that has happened, and you wish the situation was different: it's sad (that): · It's so sad that your father can't be here to see this.it's sad when: · It's sad when a marriage breaks up, especially after all those years.it's very/terribly sad: · The town centre is dying, and most of the shops have closed down. It's terribly sad.
especially American use this to say you are disappointed or sad that someone could not do something, or something could not happen: · "Senator Volk's out of town." "Too bad! I wanted to meet him and talk about the campaign."too bad (that): · Too bad Dickie isn't here to enjoy the fun.· It's too bad you have to leave, just when we need you most.
spoken say this when something causes disappointment, suffering or is inconvenient etc: · The wedding was lovely. It was just unfortunate about the rain. it's unfortunate (that): · It's unfortunate that you have to travel so far to work.
British spoken say this when you wish that the fact that you have just mentioned was not true: · Now I'm too old to fall in love, more's the pity.· I'm afraid this car doesn't belong to me, more's the pity.
formal use this when you consider the existing situation to be unsatisfactory: · Regrettably Jousse's work has not been translated into English.· The poor and disadvantaged will, regrettably, be the ones to suffer as a result of the new law.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE ENTRY Amanda is far too young to get married. She was none too pleased (=not at all pleased) when I told her.COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES I think you’re a bit too young to be watching this. The thought that she might be dead was too terrible to contemplate. Gambling can all too easily become an addiction (=used to say that something bad is very possible). This kind of situation was all too familiar (=very familiar) to John. That’s far too much to pay. It would take me far too long to explain. I’m sure he’d be only too glad to (=extremely willing to) help you. Becoming a doctor never interested him. It was too much like hard work (=it would involve too much work). If things get too hot (=a situation becomes too difficult or dangerous to deal with), I can always leave. Wilkinson found his opponent a little too hot to handle (=too difficult to deal with or beat). She likes Biology, but she’s not too keen on Physics. He knew full well that what he was doing was dangerous. He shouted a warning but it was too late. I’m afraid you’ve left it too late to change your ticket. You’ve been reading too many romantic novels (=more than you should). One job loss is one too many (=one more than is acceptable, needed etc). The opportunity was too good to miss so we left immediately. He was driving much too fast. He talks too much. There was too much work for one person. It would cost far too much to have the thing repaired. It is never too late to give up smoking. The individuals who have contributed to this book are far too numerous to mention. It was a nice house, but rather too small for a family of four. British English Doctors say it’s too risky to try and operate. Matt’s clothes were just a shade too big for me. He was too shy to come and sit by me in class. The band is popular and likely to become more so. Jerry is very honest, perhaps too much so. The holidays were over all too soon (=much earlier than you would like). He was too tired to argue. She’s too weak to feed herself. The branch was too weak to support his weight.COLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSADJECTIVE
Amanda is far too young to get married. She was none too pleased (=not at all pleased) when I told her. I think you’re a bit too young to be watching this. The thought that she might be dead was too terrible to contemplate. (=quite soon)· We’re expecting a final decision in the not too distant future.
Gambling can all too easily become an addiction (=used to say that something bad is very possible). This kind of situation was all too familiar (=very familiar) to John. That’s far too much to pay. It would take me far too long to explain. (=quite soon)· We’re planning to go there again in the not too distant future.
I’m sure he’d be only too glad to (=extremely willing to) help you. British English She’s gone, and a good thing too.
She’s gone, and a good thing too. Becoming a doctor never interested him. It was too much like hard work (=it would involve too much work). (=they have problems with their hearing) Old Zeke doesn’t hear too well anymore.
Old Zeke doesn’t hear too well anymore. If things get too hot (=a situation becomes too difficult or dangerous to deal with), I can always leave. Wilkinson found his opponent a little too hot to handle (=too difficult to deal with or beat). She likes Biology, but she’s not too keen on Physics. He knew full well that what he was doing was dangerous. He shouted a warning but it was too late. I’m afraid you’ve left it too late to change your ticket. (=used to say that you could make your situation much worse) These youngsters know they have too much to lose by protesting against the system.
These youngsters know they have too much to lose by protesting against the system. You’ve been reading too many romantic novels (=more than you should). One job loss is one too many (=one more than is acceptable, needed etc). The opportunity was too good to miss so we left immediately. He was driving much too fast. He talks too much. There was too much work for one person. It would cost far too much to have the thing repaired. It is never too late to give up smoking. The individuals who have contributed to this book are far too numerous to mention.· He was too old for military service.
(=have drunk too much alcohol)
It was a nice house, but rather too small for a family of four. British English Doctors say it’s too risky to try and operate. Matt’s clothes were just a shade too big for me. He was too shy to come and sit by me in class. The band is popular and likely to become more so. Jerry is very honest, perhaps too much so. The holidays were over all too soon (=much earlier than you would like).· Make a list of any words or phrases whose meaning you are not too sure about.
· The building was too modern for my taste.
He was too tired to argue. She’s too weak to feed herself. The branch was too weak to support his weight.· We played really well and while the other contenders still had to play each other, our run-in was not too bad.· The facts were too bad, too bald, abominable, pitiful.· If your players don't latch on to such throwaways first time, too bad.· You search by budget, and the selection of goods isn't too bad at all.· The weather was not too bad.· Life in the slammer wasn't too bad for Bob Mitchum.· Compared with his lone ordeal in the Danube, it wasn't too bad.
· They are too big, too anonymous, and too lacking in leadership.· A bed is too big even if you could lift it.· They were too big to be fighters, even two-seaters.· They are way too big for meso big that every time I try to walk in them, I fall down.· But he can not afford to sit back on the basis that Everton are too big a club to go down.· He had a little girl with him, maybe four years old, wearing a brand new dress several sizes too big.· The wellingtons are too big for her but she doesn't care.· These people were of all sizes; they all wore pants too big for them; they all had beards.
· There is even a portable unit for home use by people who are too busy to come to the Centre.· But Dole rebuffed calls that he resign as majority leader because he is too busy campaigning.· If there is no time to relish and enjoy the uncluttered hour, are you perhaps too busy?· Story: Ever feel that your life is too busy to be time-managed by one person?· They are too busy making money to worry about paying bills. 8.· Roofing contractors are too busy to return calls.· I haven't really asked her, I've been too busy with myself.· The older people were too busy clearing their desktops to stay at the frontiers of innovation.
· On the other hand, supper sounded too close to bedtime for his liking.· The moorings are too close to town centre.· They wouldn't want to go too close to the Khedive.· One of the Fellowship moved too close to the flames and a bull's mask went up in flames.· It was just that everything seemed too close, like staring at a light bulb.· There was something about being too close to him that made her uncomfortable.· The Celtic striker, however, put his header too close to the keeper.· Heater too close to coat rack. 7.
· It shouldn't be too difficult to arrange this matter.· The writer may very legitimately find the project is too difficult to carry out without a great deal of assistance from others.· Youngsters aged between seven and 11 found running, jumping and throwing too difficult.· It was too difficult to pass strips of bamboo right through all three layers and pull them sufficiently tight.· In fact the props of the speech are important and not too difficult to use to help your presentation.· There was concern that such a high concentration would be too difficult to digest or lead to side effects.· They suggested that some of these topics are too difficult for pupils in the range studied in this project.· On a full caseload this is not too difficult to achieve.
· It is too early, he says, to base any firm recommendations on the work so far.· I always thought it was too early, he wrote, and now I see that it is much too late.· Townsend said it was too early to say how much the fire has set back reconstruction of the site.· Most fund managers believed it was too early to say when they would consider buying London shares again.· Greenspan also said it was too early to judge whether the recent drop in the stock market could cause a recession.· It was too early in the trip for a serious attempt and all of us were decidedly under the weather.· It seems too early to worry about their trip home.
· It would clearly be far too expensive to repeat every investigation carried out by the police, to say nothing of delays.· WebTV is too expensive for most users at $ 19. 95 a month.· Sometimes you can get it, but they make it too expensive so you can't afford to buy it.· They considered making bagels, but the equipment was too expensive.· It was too expensive for most private individuals there to send telegrams; the network was used almost exclusively by the authorities.· Some Republicans said the piece was too expensive to move.· They also say the 25-ton stainless steel casks used at some plants to stored cooled material above ground are too expensive.
· I do not want to go too far into the philosophical or even the physiological aspects of the matter.· But do not push your luck too far.· Surely a barber didn't hold his client in this way, was he perhaps going too far?· However, it seems to the author that the concept must not be taken too far.· But paying £56,000 for a house from which to collect train numbers is taking a hobby too far.· Mars is too far away from the Sun, and is too small.· Are we stretching our lines too far?· This time you went too far.
· It couldn't be love, anyway, it had all happened too fast.· Employees at the plant are experiencing a-change overload. --- Changes came too fast and hit thern all at once.· The city's manners were too fast, its rhythm too syncopated.· The high-performance cars are strictly for the racetrack ... and the message is, going too fast on the roads can kill.· Things were happening too fast to keep up with.· He says they're going too fast.· And the barley is growing too fast.· Eleanor wrote too fast in his opinion.
· Some had just been too good to miss.· The piles of sawdust from all my work in back of the cabin seemed too good to waste.· Things weren't looking too good for me.· I doubt it too; it is simply too good comic opera to be true.· The luck, she was running too good, I thought nervously.· For Rachel and Maggie, it's too good a chance to miss.· Being left-handed, he was too good to release, but never good enough to hold his place.
· Misfortune was surmounted, and misfortune became too great a burden; virtuous reputations were earned, and scandalous stories were recounted.· The cost is too great....· They believe that when all pledges and donations have been received, the shortfall should not be too great.· Guy de Chauliac had pointed out that his ointment was not without dangers if used in too great a quantity.· He warned the University against too great an association with commercial interests at the expense of pure research.· Do your sums first, then the shock will not be too great later.· The plan had previously blocked because the inspector concluded that the visual impact would be too great.· The doctors were adamant that the risk of a further stroke was too great to justify another pregnancy.
· Stimulate him to activity, but don't push him too hard.· I pushed down too hard to correct.· And, a bridge too hard.· His only good words were for General McClellan who did not push the army too hard to go into battle.· Anyway, there are your pears, just nicely poached, not too soft and not too hard.· I am left literally nothing to worry about except that he will work too hard.· He had been careful not to push the bulls too hard.· My weaknesses: I worked too hard and tended to move too fast for the organizations I joined.
· Perhaps he has been promoted a little too rapidly and a little too high.· The price is just too high in lost jobs and damage to the economy.· She also made me a small bed, which was placed on a shelf too high for rats to reach.· It passed because taxes were too high and relief was needed.· The concern is that most contaminated food is caused by incorrect storage at home, where fridge temperatures may be too high.· They were too High Church for that.· On reflection the students agreed that, however attractive the benefits might become, the costs would always be too high.· If rates are too high, the refinancing bonds may not be sold.
· We met on the beach early next morning before it got too hot.· The Fed delivered a Goldilocks economy -- not too hot, not too cold -- and stocks and bonds soared.· We were too hot to take a cab, so we just sauntered along with the crowds.· Be sure it is not too hot or too cold. 3.· It became too hot for animals to live.· Warm canteen water in the canteen cap, the bag open on the floor, a propane lighter too hot to hold.· Spoon into a serving dish and serve warm - but not too hot or the syrup will burn.· There was a feverish glaze to Lucy's blue eyes, and her forehead felt far too hot.
· He realized his mistake too late and when he turned back to the entrance Sabrina was already there, blocking his escape.· Most candidates waited until fraud took place before complaining, which was too late.· A whole day was too long - even a few hours would be too late.· It was too late to go back to music although I tried.· But Mr Major failed to finish until five past nine, five minutes too late.· I introduced her to Jasper and asked if we had come too late for the tribute.· The goods were delivered too late.· It is likely to be too late.
· Two of the displays also show the results of paying too little attention to human factors!· Sometimes the causes are external to you-oppressive managers, increased demands, or too little opportunity for autonomy.· But it was too little and much too late.· The question is whether it is too little too late.· Discuss how much water is necessary - too much or too little.· There is too little money and too many people need jobs.· Another charge is that Mr Bush has given too little thought to the nature of a post-war settlement.· Analysts described the move as too little, too late.
· It's too long, too slow and in no way original.· Before too long, just as there were white bands and colored bands, there were white and colored pentecostal churches.· He could have had a radiographic picture within two minutes, but that was far too long.· The sight on the barrel is too long.· Many of those on retail shelves have been there too long.· If it is stored for too long in rick or barn, rats and mice can cause heavy losses.· The resemblance between the old Helen and the new was so striking, he could not look too long.
· Yet others had correctly calculated that they were too old or their employment patterns too discontinuous to be eligible for pensions.· These boys are also too old for day camp and too young for jobs.· The Montrose girls were too old to be fooling around like that, anyway.· But I was too old to start college.· They were too old for that now.· They have all been made to believe that they are too old to be of value.· Added to this he is about 24 so he's probably too old.· The actors playing the trainees were too old, Hawkins says.
· As Samuel says, their trousers are too short.· In a moment of time too short to be measured, Space turned and twisted upon itself.· Unfortunately the tent bag is too short for the poles.· Time ran too short to include the Luna Loca update promised for this issue, so watch for it next week.· Life, for me, is certainly not too short to stuff a mushroom.· Roemer now recognized that earlier attempts to clock the speed of light had failed because the distances tested were too short.· However, notice which is too short is unlikely to comply with the underlying spirit of the Rule.· It's a nice reminder that the rest of the world exists, when my focus gets too short.
· The figures are too small to allow accurate measurement of the exponent.· My scuffed Buster Browns, now too small for my growing feet, had been knocked off.· The lectern at the Guildhall is a classic example of one that looks beautiful but is too small and fragile to use.· The constantly falling snow itself is too dry, and its crystals are thus too small, to stick to their backs.· It seemed almost too small to contain the swelling plumpness of her upper body.· Mars and Mercury were hidden in the sun's glare and Pluto was too small and distant to appear.· But if animal populations are too small, then they simply die out.· I found an round grey stone, striped with white, but Dad said it was too small.
· Some critics have considered it to be too weak and idiosyncratic to carry responsibility for major public and social services.· But the municipal oligarchy was too weak to pursue its course for long, and eventually came to terms with the state.· He threw out no sounding parties too weak to guarantee their own safety, and he lost none of them.· The generals and admirals said they had always been against the blockade as being too weak and now they wanted immediate action.· She let him drown her in the deep water, too weak even to raise her hands to cling to him.· Taggant supporters think the bill is too weak.· First the active male adults were fed because if they were too weak to hunt, nobody would eat.· One afternoon she realized that her friend was too weak to prepare his own meals.
· And he doesn't know what he's talking about: he's too young, too inexperienced, too Edward.· Of course not, you were too young.· He was only thirty-six and I was too young to remember much about it.· Beard is too young to grasp this struggle.· And Jeremy can't manage on his own, he's just too young.· Anyway, she is too young.· We were both in our early twenties and just too young to get married.· Everyone else was either too young or female, and all the teachers had beards.
VERB· Second, to prevent a particular interest rate structure from becoming too entrenched.· Perhaps they have allowed the child to become too dependent on the baby-sitter.· One sometimes thinks of Franck here, but Fauré characteristically reins in his emotional outbursts before they become too vigorous.· Last year, I cut the tops off to keep them from becoming too tall.· It was our last leaflet because afterwards it became too dangerous.· When the shrieks of his gang became too much, he lifted his hand and his face took on a furious look.· The tiny oxygen tank on his back was uncomfortable but deemed necessary in case the mist became too choking.· Now, with no end in sight to the boom in high tech products, the distortions became too big to overlook.
PHRASES FROM THE ENTRY► I am/he is/you are etc too!PHRASES FROM OTHER ENTRIES► keep several/too many etc balls in the air► be/get too big for your boots► too many chiefs and not enough Indians► a bridge too far► too good to be true/to last► hanging/shooting etc is too good for somebody► I should hope so (too)► I don’t feel too hot/so hot/very hot► too much information!► life’s too short► miles older/better/too difficult etc► be a bit much/be too much► not to put too fine a point on it► not very savoury/none too savoury► not a moment too soon/none too soon► not before time/and about time (too)► too silly/complicated/ridiculous etc for words
1[+adjective/adverb] more than is acceptable or possible: - But often this effort of concentration was too much for me.
- But three thousand is too much for now.
- I suspected that, deep down, the various emotional themes that Hannah played out were too much for Bruno.
- It was too much for Quinn.
- The memories were too much for her.
- This was too much for me.
- Cliff is only too pleased to prepare a celebratory meal for any special occasion.
- I was only too glad to help.
- If none is required, they will be only too pleased to tell you.
- She was only too glad to have even this talk bouncing against walls that had become a tomb.
- The governments were only too pleased to oblige.
- The Library would be only too pleased to explore further suggestions along similar lines. 13.4.
- They know the way that the wind is blowing, and would be only too pleased to be redeployed into another trade.
- We would be only too pleased to provide information on the Association.
- A 3 percent funding increase is too little, too late to save the tutoring program.
- Violent behavior is all too common in our society.
- All too often, making a will is put off until it's too late.
- His career as a singer was all too short.
- Apparently, though, it was all too much for her husband - he left very quietly.
- But it was all too late, and Wakeling quit soon afterwards.
- Diets started without preparation are broken all too easily.
- I know all too well the value of a well-placed F-word.
- No, the pain surfaced in her mind all too readily.
- The rope should never be allowed to run between the legs, for all too obvious reasons.
- Vacation time is all too short.
- When midway through the set four go-go dancers appear, the warped cabaret becomes all too slick and momentum is lost.
- The roads weren't too bad.
- At first, things were not so bad.
- Compared to how I feel, how I look is not so bad.
- She began to think that perhaps village life was not so bad.
- The Ky is not too bad.
- The policing here is not so bad.
- The Vatican, I must say, is not too bad when it is full and the resonance is reduced.
- The weather was not too bad.
- We played really well and while the other contenders still had to play each other, our run-in was not too bad.
- "I've got plans this evening." "Too bad, I need you to stay till you've finished the report."
- "Senator Volk's out of town.'' "Too bad! I wanted to meet him and talk about the campaign.''
- It's too bad she had to give up teaching when she got sick.
- It's too bad you have to leave, just when we need you most.
- Too bad Dickie isn't here to enjoy the fun.
- All this would not have been too bad but for the fact that our rope was going rotten at an alarming pace.
- But, as he admits, he's not doing too bad.
- If any of the contenders have not got their act together by then, then it is simply too bad.
- It's too bad of you.
- Life in the slammer wasn't too bad for Bob Mitchum.
- The weather was not too bad.
- You can't be too careful where computer viruses are concerned.
- It was funny at first, but you've carried the joke too far.
- Phil's good at thinking up excuses for his behaviour - he's too clever by half.
- That car that came around the corner was just a little too close for comfort.
- At times, the similarities are too close for comfort, edging towards the derivative.
- But our last memory was of a nightingale pair, singing in competition in territories perhaps too close for comfort.
- Cross-addictions may be hotly denied because the subject matter may for some be too close for comfort.
- In a wave trough I caught a glimpse of a coral head to port: a little too close for comfort.
- Lightning dipped and veered in a manner which was far too close for comfort.
- Richard, and you quite see why, finds economy airline seats too close for comfort.
- The movement brought him too close for comfort.
- At times, the similarities are too close for comfort, edging towards the derivative.
- But our last memory was of a nightingale pair, singing in competition in territories perhaps too close for comfort.
- Cross-addictions may be hotly denied because the subject matter may for some be too close for comfort.
- In a wave trough I caught a glimpse of a coral head to port: a little too close for comfort.
- Lightning dipped and veered in a manner which was far too close for comfort.
- Richard, and you quite see why, finds economy airline seats too close for comfort.
- The movement brought him too close for comfort.
- If too many cooks spoil the broth, too many Popes tarnish the faith!
- There were too many cooks, they said.
- I'm in too deep to get out of the business now.
- He warned management during training camp that the team would be in deep trouble if either he or Johnson suffered injuries.
- If everyone except Fifi and Manuel shows up at the compound, the lovers will be in deep trouble.
- Our governments are in deep trouble today.
- Some of the discoveries were in deep water.
- The advertising industry was in deep recession.
- The pathway was in deep shadow.
- The planet and the country are in deep s-- -.
- Tonight, the parents are in deep shock.
- Investors are concerned that real estate inflation has gone too far.
- The court ruled that the police went too far when they handcuffed Rooney to a chair.
- Has he gone too far out of bounds to get back on course?
- I can only hope I am proved wrong: things have gone too far to turn back the tide.
- She would make sure she did not go too far, or too soon.
- Surely a barber didn't hold his client in this way, was he perhaps going too far?
- Their elders in Linea 13 try to keep them from going too far.
- They never went too far out.
- They want to go too far.
- We have already gone too far.
- Ralph Nader may have had a few, but then again far, far too few to mention.
- Everyone there - not to put too fine a point on it - was crazy.
- The dishes we tried tasted, not to put too fine a point on it, like gasoline.
- But dying by my own hand is too good for me.
- He was too good for you, Hilda Machin, and that's what you hadn't got the brains to understand.
- I was too good for my class.
- Much too good for Gary, he thought.
- She was too good for him.
- The best was not too good for her.
- The role he proposed for Ken was too good for him to pass up.
- The arithmetic can not be faulted - and may well be judged too clever by half.
- But now I believe it is too late.
- By the time I went back for it, it was too late.
- He tried to think of something to do or say, but it was too late.
- If you listen to the conventional wisdom in foreign-policy circles, it is too late.
- It is by no means so simple for the insurer who is ignorant of that until in some senses it is too late.
- That is the stark truth electors have to grasp before it is too late.
- This alarming error had been spotted by his Deputy when it was too late to do anything much about it.
- When that happens, it will be too late to start building a missile defense.
- By the time the doctor arrived, it was too late; he was already dead.
- I'm afraid you're too late - I've just sold the last ticket.
- It's never too late to learn a new language.
- They got to the airport too late to catch the plane.
- We rushed to the store as soon as we left work but arrived too late.
- A part of me wanted to stop and hit rewind, but it was too late.
- A whole day was too long - even a few hours would be too late.
- Coach home; too late for a swim.
- He had already gone too far down another road, too late for turning back.
- Hospitals keep the sick waiting to be admitted until it is too late.
- I tried to reach your hand, but it was too late.
- Somehow it already felt too late to make the crossing.
- Their efforts may be too little too late to ensure that the Pearl maintains its independence.
- He was making too much of the whole thing.
- How a pop star looks is made too much of, though, the way some people are about it.
- It is possible to make too much of all this.
- Jasper thought I made too much of her.
- Of course, I make too much of this.
- One shouldn't make too much of them, but then again, they need watching.
- She makes too much of that cat, Daisy thought, for a young woman that is.
- She tried not to make too much of the moment.
- Ron looked like he'd had one too many.
- Dear Melissa I really fancy this boy and I think he likes me too.
- It put me too far away, a little off the emotional page.
- McMurphy says good morning, and I keep quiet even though she says good morning to me too, out loud.
- She like what Nancy say. me too.
- She saw me too, no doubt, but that was it.
- The other two, second and third sisters, teased me too, but their taunts held no malice.
- You can drive me too far.
- "Dinner's ready." "And not a moment too soon!"
- The ambulance finally arrived, not a moment too soon.
- It was not a moment too soon.
- All the bullying and back-stabbing in the office was simply too much for him.
- Climbing the stairs is too much for Maisie who is in her 90s.
- The job was too much for any single manager to cope with.
- But often this effort of concentration was too much for me.
- But three thousand is too much for now.
- I suspected that, deep down, the various emotional themes that Hannah played out were too much for Bruno.
- It was too much for Quinn.
- The memories were too much for her.
- This was too much for me.
- And she was none too anxious to hear about the show.
- Flavia, none too practised herself, managed to get the number.
- His spiritual advisers were none too happy with his reliance on pagan practices, nor probably was his court favourite Buckingham.
- If the result is none too pleasant, it's time to do something about it.
- In consequence, the level of the Party's blood sugar was low; their expectations none too high.
- She saw the stragglers gather, none too enthusiastically, but not unwillingly, either, and waited for the last-comers.
- That a young boy of none too comfortable means would be impressed by all this worldly expertise is not difficult to imagine.
- Twenty years ago the treasurer's job was simple and none too arduous.
- I've seen cases of this kind of child abuse all too often.
- But what should be a happy and fulfilling experience all too often is not.
- Farmers still have the problem of overcoming the stigma which all too often young people attach to working on the land.
- In regard to the use of field interviewers, the social and psychological aspects of studies are all too often ignored.
- It is somehow reassuring that, all too often, there is a not a table to be had.
- Sadly, their struggles all too often end up in disillusionment and sometimes, in death.
- Successful experiments all too often remain marginal, if they have no political clout.
- The first time they're a novelty, after that they're all too often an irritation.
- Yet gays turning to churches and other institutions for help all too often were told not to worry.
- The kids rang Brant's doorbell once too often, and he reported them to the police.
- But not Luke Denner - he's humiliated me once too often!
- He'd said it once too often, and this time she'd taken him at his word.
- He got into trouble once too often and wound up in continuation school.
- I can only assume she tried once too often to enter the nest, as the female died during the night.
- It had failed him in a crisis and that was once too often.
- Maybe she just turned him down once too often.
- One of these people had looked in my direction once too often, passed by once again just a little too slowly.
- Until, that is, it lived up to its original name once too often!
- Again we have seen only too clearly in some other countries what can happen if you personify and almost deify the State.
- At Oxford I discovered that most people were only too willing to be friendly if I gave them a chance.
- Children know only too well the errors they commit while playing baseball or the missteps in the gymnastics routine.
- He would be only too happy to dial 911 when Walter slumped over in shock, unable to speak.
- I found myself acting the part of a wooer only too well.
- Then there are those of us who are only too happy Louisiana enacted the law.
- They know the way that the wind is blowing, and would be only too pleased to be redeployed into another trade.
- According to her, he was too clever for his own good.
- That Tom was too nice for his own good.
- They were both too nice for their own good.
- You might be just a wee bit too clever for your own good now.
- I don't think you should go back to work too soon after having the baby.
- I knew it was too soon for any likely resolution of the problem.
- It's too soon to say what effect the merger will have on the company's 1500 employees
- Lendl hit the ball way too soon.
- You can't get married next week! That's far too soon.
- And not a minute too soon.
- He said it was too soon to tell whether more plans would leave Medicare despite the rising payments.
- However, it was published too soon to include the new Vi 2 Vanquish-a minor criticism.
- In Edinburgh I discovered all too soon that Sylvia Grey was not there either.
- It is probably too soon to know what effect the Rich case might have on his prospects in public life.
- The decision on a price was not a minute too soon.
- Perhaps the managerial talent that was responsible for the steady growth is spread too thin.
- Some one must lose, even if the losses are spread thinly.
- The ointment should be spread thinly on the bruised areas.
- BHart said the organization, though well-intentioned, might be spreading itself too thin.
- Eric's not too swift, is he?
- It's a cliche to say people are living in fear, but sadly it's all too true in Larne.
- Mr. Waldegrave I fear that on health, as on other issues, that is all too true.
- This may be only too true, but if so, why advertise the fact?
- Travelers to Prague may find the comparison with Paris starting to ring all too true when it comes to hotel prices.
Do you think the music’s too loud? You’ve put too much salt in the soup. There are too many cars on the road.much/far too Amanda is far too young to get married.too ... for something/somebody I was getting too old for romantic relationships. My boots were three sizes too big for me.too ... to do something He was too ill to travel.too ... for somebody to do something The box was too heavy for me to lift.GRAMMARWord orderThe correct word order is too + adjective + a + noun: · It is too high a price to pay.· It’s too big a risk. ✗Don’t say: It is a too high price to pay. | It’s a too big risk.Comparisontoo• You use too before an adjective. You say: · The house is too expensive.too much• You use too much before a noun. You say: · The house costs too much money.• Don’t use too much before an adjective. ✗Don’t say: The house is too much expensive.2also: There were people from all over Europe, and America too. Can I come too? ‘I’m feeling hungry.’ ‘Me too.’ It’s a more efficient system and it’s cheaper too.GRAMMAR: Word order• Too is usually used at the end of a sentence or clause: · He was a teacher too.• In more formal English, too is also used near the beginning of a sentence, after the subject, or after an adverb or phrase: · We too must play our part.· Here, too, there are problems with the economy.3[+adjective/adverb] spoken used with a negative to mean ‘not very’: She doesn’t seem too upset about it. ‘What was the weather like?’ ‘Oh, not too bad.’ She was none too pleased (=not at all pleased) when I told her.4all too/only too used to emphasize that a particular situation exists when you wish it did not exist: Beggars are becoming an all too familiar sight in our cities. I regret to say that these rumours are only too true.5used to emphasize a remark that you are adding: ‘He’s been banned from driving.’ ‘A good thing too!’ ‘A woman farmer?’ asked Gabriel. ‘Yes, and a rich one too.’6I am/he is/you are etc too! especially American English informal used to emphasize that you disagree with what someone has said about someone or something: ‘You’re not smart enough to use a computer.’ ‘I am too!’7be too much for somebody used to say that something is so difficult, tiring, upsetting etc that someone cannot do it or bear it: Working full-time was too much for her. The shock was too much for him.8[+adjective/adverb] spoken formal very: Thank you. You are too kind.9be only too glad/pleased to do something to be very willing to do something: I’d be only too pleased to assist you.10too little, too late used to complain that not enough is being done to solve a problem and that the action did not start early enough: Doctors have criticized the government’s response to the crisis as too little, too late.