or topsails over, phr. (old).—TOPSY-TURVY (q.v.); heels over head.

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  c. 1430.  The Destruction of Troy [E.E.T.S.], 1219.

        Mony turnyt with tene TOPSAYLES OUER,
Þat hurlet to þe hard vrthe & þere horse leuyt.

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  [?].  The Romance of the Cheuelere Assigne [E.E.T.S.], 320. And eyther of hem TOPSEYLE · tumbledde to þe erthe.

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  TO PAY ONE’S DEBTS WITH THE TOPSAIL, verb. phr. (nautical) (GROSE).—To go to sea leaving scores unpaid; cf. (military) ‘to pay one’s score with the drum’ (= to march away).

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