From Longman Dictionary of Contemporary Englishfull/top marks for effort/trying/persistence etcfull/top marks for effort/trying/persistence etcBritish English spokenPRAISE used to praise someone for trying hard to do something, even though they did not succeed I have to give you top marks for determination. → mark
Examples from the Corpus
give ... top marks• We also gave it top marks for looks.• You had to give Anthony top marks for persistence, she thought to herself.• I have to give you top marks for determination. 