Meaning of top-heavy In English

• 0 If something is top-heavy, it has more weight in the higher part than in the lower part and will not balance correctly:

  • The main reason the ship capsized was that it was top-heavy.

  • figurative If they sacked a few senior managers, the company would be less top-heavy.

• 1 having more weight in the higher part than in the lower part and so tending to fall easily:

  • If you stand up in such a small boat, you make it top-heavy, and it can turn over easily.

  • fig. The organization was top-heavy with vice presidents.

• 2 used to describe an organization that has too many managers in relation to the number of ordinary workers:

  • top-heavy management/bureaucracy

  • They have a top-heavy management structure.