Crossword Genius

Outrageous location of circus flags? (4-3-3)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

over-the-top

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'outrageous' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)

'location of circus flags?' is the wordplay.
I cannot quite see how this works, but
'location' could be 'top' (top is a kind of location) and 'top' is located in the answer.
'of' could be 'o' and 'o' is present in the answer.
This may be the basis of the clue (or it may be nonsense).

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for over-the-top that I've seen before include "To an exaggerated degree" , "Excessively extreme" , "Theatrically excessive" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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