Some words and phrases in American English are more than they seem. Idioms are expressions that mean something different from the words they use. When we talk about feeling “high,” it doesn’t always mean being tall or in the sky. In everyday speech, “high” can describe emotions, success, energy, or even trouble.
In the USA, people use idioms with “high” to make language more colorful and fun. These sayings can talk about feeling great, aiming for big goals, or dealing with difficult situations. Learning them can help you understand conversations better and use them yourself. In this article, we will explore some common idioms about “high” and see how they are used.
Idioms About High
1. High and Mighty
Meaning: Acting proud or better than others.
Example Sentence:
• He started acting high and mighty after winning the contest.
• She gets high and mighty when she talks about her expensive clothes.
Other ways to say: Arrogant, full of yourself
Fun Fact/Origin: This phrase has been used since the 1400s to describe people who act like they are more important than others.
Usage: Used when someone is acting overly proud or bossy.
2. Riding High
Meaning: Feeling very happy or successful.
Example Sentence:
• The team was riding high after their championship win.
• She’s riding high after getting a promotion.
Other ways to say: On top of the world, doing great
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from horse riding, where sitting high means having control and power.
Usage: Used when someone is doing really well.
3. High Hopes
Meaning: Strong expectations for success.
Example Sentence:
• He had high hopes for making the basketball team.
• I have high hopes that we’ll win the spelling bee.
Other ways to say: Big dreams, strong expectations
Fun Fact/Origin: Popularized in the USA by a Frank Sinatra song in 1959.
Usage: Used when someone believes good things will happen.
4. On a High Note
Meaning: Ending something in a positive way.
Example Sentence:
• Let’s finish this meeting on a high note.
• The party ended on a high note with fireworks.
Other ways to say: End well, finish strong
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from music, where a high note is exciting and joyful.
Usage: Used when something ends happily or successfully.
5. High Time
Meaning: The right time to do something, often overdue.
Example Sentence:
• It’s high time you cleaned your room.
• It’s high time we started our homework.
Other ways to say: About time, long overdue
Fun Fact/Origin: First recorded in the 1400s meaning “the best time.”
Usage: Used when something should have been done earlier.
6. Flying High
Meaning: Feeling proud and happy.
Example Sentence:
• He was flying high after hitting the home run.
• She’s flying high after getting accepted into college.
Other ways to say: Very happy, thrilled
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from the idea of a bird soaring above everything.
Usage: Used when someone is feeling great about success.
7. High Seas
Meaning: The open ocean, far from land.
Example Sentence:
• The sailors faced a storm on the high seas.
• He dreamed of adventures on the high seas.
Other ways to say: Open ocean, deep waters
Fun Fact/Origin: Used in U.S. law to describe international waters.
Usage: Used when talking about ocean travel.
8. High-End
Meaning: Expensive and of good quality.
Example Sentence:
• They bought a high-end camera for the trip.
• She only shops for high-end shoes.
Other ways to say: Luxury, top-quality
Fun Fact/Origin: Became common in U.S. marketing in the 1900s.
Usage: Used for products that are costly and well-made.
9. High Road
Meaning: Choosing to act in a kind or fair way, even when it’s hard.
Example Sentence:
• She took the high road and didn’t fight back.
• He took the high road after losing the game.
Other ways to say: Be the bigger person, act with honor
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from the idea of taking a safer, better path.
Usage: Used when showing good character in tough situations.
10. High Point
Meaning: The best moment.
Example Sentence:
• The high point of the trip was visiting the Grand Canyon.
• Scoring the winning goal was the high point of my season.
Other ways to say: Highlight, best part
Fun Fact/Origin: Refers to the highest location being the most exciting spot.
Usage: Used to describe the most enjoyable moment.
11. High Spirits
Meaning: Feeling cheerful and lively.
Example Sentence:
• The kids were in high spirits after the field trip.
• She’s always in high spirits during the holidays.
Other ways to say: Cheerful, full of joy
Fun Fact/Origin: Dates back to the 1600s meaning “lively mood.”
Usage: Used when someone is happy and energetic.
12. Hold Your Head High
Meaning: To feel proud and confident.
Example Sentence:
• Win or lose, hold your head high.
• She walked out holding her head high.
Other ways to say: Be proud, stay confident
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from body language showing self-respect.
Usage: Used to encourage pride after effort.
13. In High Demand
Meaning: Wanted by many people.
Example Sentence:
• That video game is in high demand before Christmas.
• Skilled workers are in high demand.
Other ways to say: Popular, sought-after
Fun Fact/Origin: Common in U.S. business to describe products or skills.
Usage: Used when something is popular and hard to get.
14. High Stakes
Meaning: Big risks or rewards.
Example Sentence:
• This is a high-stakes basketball game.
• The election is high stakes for both sides.
Other ways to say: Risky, critical
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from gambling, where stakes are the amount bet.
Usage: Used when much is on the line.
15. High Standards
Meaning: Expecting the best.
Example Sentence:
• She has high standards for her work.
• Our coach has high standards for the team.
Other ways to say: Expect excellence, set the bar high
Fun Fact/Origin: Common in U.S. schools and workplaces.
Usage: Used when quality is expected to be very good.
16. High Alert
Meaning: Watching carefully for danger.
Example Sentence:
• The lifeguard is on high alert during swim meets.
• Police are on high alert for storms.
Other ways to say: Watchful, on guard
Fun Fact/Origin: Military term for being ready at all times.
Usage: Used when staying cautious.
17. High Profile
Meaning: Very well-known or famous.
Example Sentence:
• It was a high-profile trial in the USA.
• She has a high-profile job in New York.
Other ways to say: Famous, widely known
Fun Fact/Origin: Popular in U.S. media to describe public figures.
Usage: Used when someone or something is well-recognized.
18. High Flyer
Meaning: Someone who achieves a lot.
Example Sentence:
• She’s a high flyer in her career.
• He’s a high flyer in school sports.
Other ways to say: Achiever, go-getter
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from birds flying high above others.
Usage: Used for people who succeed quickly.
19. High Horse
Meaning: Acting better than others.
Example Sentence:
• Get off your high horse and listen.
• He’s on his high horse again about grades.
Other ways to say: Arrogant, self-important
Fun Fact/Origin: Nobles once rode taller horses to show status.
Usage: Used when someone is acting superior.
20. High-Octane
Meaning: Full of energy.
Example Sentence:
• That was a high-octane basketball game.
• He gave a high-octane speech.
Other ways to say: Energetic, powerful
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from gasoline that gives engines more power.
Usage: Used for fast, exciting activities.
21. High Noon
Meaning: A critical or deciding time.
Example Sentence:
• It’s high noon for the championship game.
• Negotiations hit high noon today.
Other ways to say: Showdown, decision time
Fun Fact/Origin: Made famous by the 1952 American western movie High Noon.
Usage: Used for important turning points.
22. High-Class
Meaning: Elegant and expensive.
Example Sentence:
• They stayed at a high-class hotel in Chicago.
• He wore a high-class suit to the wedding.
Other ways to say: Fancy, upscale
Fun Fact/Origin: Often used in the USA to describe luxury living.
Usage: Used for expensive or fancy places and things.
23. High and Dry
Meaning: Left without help or resources.
Example Sentence:
• The storm left us high and dry without supplies.
• He was left high and dry after the deal failed.
Other ways to say: Stranded, abandoned
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from ships stuck on land after water recedes.
Usage: Used when someone is left without support.
24. High-Powered
Meaning: Very effective or influential.
Example Sentence:
• She’s a high-powered lawyer in Los Angeles.
• They bought a high-powered laptop for school.
Other ways to say: Strong, influential
Fun Fact/Origin: Used in U.S. business and tech since the 1900s.
Usage: Used for powerful people or things.
25. High Life
Meaning: Living in luxury and comfort.
Example Sentence:
• He’s living the high life in a fancy apartment.
• They enjoyed the high life on their cruise.
Other ways to say: Luxury living, fancy lifestyle
Fun Fact/Origin: Popular in the USA during the 1920s to describe wealthy lifestyles.
Usage: Used when talking about rich or fancy living.
Quiz: Idioms About High
Instructions: Choose the correct answer for each question. Only one answer is correct.
Question Key
1. If someone is “riding high,” what does it mean?
A) They are feeling very successful or happy
B) They are climbing a mountain
C) They are riding a horse
2. If you “take the high road,” what are you doing?
A) Choosing the fastest route
B) Acting with kindness and fairness
C) Avoiding a road with traffic
3. What does “high and dry” mean?
A) Safe from danger
B) Left without help or resources
C) Standing on a hill
4. If a game is “high stakes,” what does it mean?
A) It is not important
B) There is little to win or lose
C) There is a lot to win or lose
5. What does “on a high note” mean?
A) Ending something in a good way
B) Singing loudly
C) Reaching a high place
6. If someone is a “high flyer,” what does it mean?
A) They travel often
B) They achieve a lot
C) They jump very high
7. What does “high spirits” mean?
A) Someone is feeling sad
B) Someone is feeling cheerful and lively
C) Someone is scared
8. If a product is “in high demand,” what does it mean?
A) Few people want it
B) Many people want it
C) It is no longer made
9. What does “hold your head high” mean?
A) Be proud and confident
B) Look up at the sky
C) Wear a hat
10. If a car is “high-octane,” what does it mean?
A) It is slow
B) It has a lot of energy or power
C) It is broken
Answer Key
- A) They are feeling very successful or happy
- B) Acting with kindness and fairness
- B) Left without help or resources
- C) There is a lot to win or lose
- A) Ending something in a good way
- B) They achieve a lot
- B) Someone is feeling cheerful and lively
- B) Many people want it
- A) Be proud and confident
- B) It has a lot of energy or power
Wrapping Up
Idioms with “high” are a lively part of American English. They show emotions, success, and even challenges in ways that regular words can’t. Whether you’re talking about feeling “on a high note” or living “the high life,” these phrases add flavor to conversations in the USA. Learning them can make your speech more natural and fun.
