Expressions with HIGH: Meanings, Examples, and Everyday Use

The word high isn’t only about height. In everyday English, it appears in loads of common expressions connected to confidence, standards, emotions, prices, intensity, and even smell (yes, really).

In this lesson, you’ll learn useful expressions with high that you can use in real conversations — plus clear meanings and natural example sentences.

Let’s raise the level of your vocabulary (without getting on a high horse about it).

Be / get on your high horse

Meaning: to act as if you are better than other people (in an annoying, judgmental way).

• Peter gets on his high horse whenever anyone mentions fast food, as if he’s never eaten a chip in his life.
• Don’t get on your high horse — you’ve made mistakes too.

Leave someone high and dry

Meaning: to abandon someone in a difficult situation without help.

• They promised they’d support us, then pulled out and left us high and dry.
• My laptop died right before the presentation — I was left high and dry.

As high as a kite

Meaning: very drunk or under the influence of drugs (informal).

• He turned up to the party as high as a kite and started telling strangers he was a “visionary”.
• She was clearly as high as a kite — she couldn’t even follow a simple conversation.

(Teacher note: this one is informal and can be sensitive — useful for understanding, but you may not want learners using it in formal contexts.)

It’s high time (someone did something)

Meaning: you strongly feel something should happen now (often used with a bit of annoyance).

• It’s high time we talked about your exam plan.
• It’s high time he apologised for what he said.

Smell to high heaven

Meaning: to smell extremely strong and unpleasant.

• Something in the fridge smells to high heaven — please deal with it.
• His socks smelt to high heaven after the hike.

Of a high order

Meaning: of a very high quality or standard (more formal).

• The research in this paper is of a high order.
• Her performance was of a high order — calm, confident, and impressive.

High standards

Meaning: expectations that are difficult to meet (often positive).

• She has high standards, which is why her work is always excellent.
• You can have high standards without being rude to people.

Hold someone in high regard

Meaning: to respect or admire someone a lot (common in formal writing too).

• I’ve always held my English teacher in high regard.
• The staff are held in high regard by the community.

High hopes

Meaning: strong hopes or expectations that something will go well.

• We had high hopes for the trip, but the weather ruined it.
• I’ve got high hopes that you’ll pass if you keep practising.

On a high

Meaning: feeling very happy and excited (often after success).

• She was on a high after getting the job offer.
• I’m still on a high from the concert last night.

Get a high (from something)

Meaning: feel a strong sense of excitement or pleasure.

• Some people get a real high from running.
• He gets a high from taking risks.

High pressure

Meaning: stressful, demanding, and intense.

• It’s a high-pressure job with tight deadlines.
• Exam season can be high pressure, but routines really help.

High maintenance

Meaning: needing a lot of attention, effort, or money (often about people or things).

• That car is beautiful, but it’s high maintenance.
• He’s lovely, but honestly… he’s a bit high maintenance.

High risk / high reward

Meaning: something could bring a big success, but it could also fail badly.

• Starting a business can be high risk, high reward.
• It was a high-risk decision, but it paid off.

High profile

Meaning: attracting a lot of public attention.

• It was a high-profile court case.
• She’s a high-profile journalist in the UK.

On a high note

Meaning: ending something in a positive, satisfying way.

• Let’s finish the lesson on a high note with a quick game.
• They ended the season on a high note.

High on the list / high priority

Meaning: very important.

• Improving my speaking is high on my list this year.
• Safety is our highest priority.

High spirits

Meaning: cheerful, energetic mood.

• The kids were in high spirits before the holiday.
• Despite the rain, everyone stayed in high spirits.

High praise

Meaning: strong approval and admiration.

• Her essay received high praise from the examiner.
• The restaurant gets high praise online.

Reach great heights

Meaning: achieve a very high level of success.

• With consistent practice, your English can reach great heights.
• She reached great heights in her career before turning thirty.

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