a bit steep

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a bit steep" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe something that is considered too high in price or difficult to accept. Example: "The price of the concert tickets is a bit steep for my budget this month."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Maintenance is a bit steep.

The New York Times

"That's a bit steep!" wrote one.

Independent

That was a bit steep, wasn't it?

The Guardian - Books

A bit steep for dishes that were not exceptional.

The New York Times

THE BILL A bit steep (though portions are big).

The New York Times

Parents often find the $250 monthly tuition a bit steep.

The New York Times

On the door, £16.95 is a bit steep.

The Guardian - Travel

Should any lady consider this a bit steep, we recommend one obvious economy.

The New Yorker

The ambience was plenty unusual but the prices still a bit steep.

The New York Times

But he says the amount the company paid for Aveda seems a bit steep.

The New York Times

If Mozaic seems a bit steep, there is an alternative for a memorable dinner.

The Guardian - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a bit steep" to describe a price, consider the audience and context. In formal settings, alternatives like "slightly expensive" or "somewhat pricey" might be more appropriate. In informal settings, feel free to use "a bit steep" as it is widely understood.

Common error

Avoid using "a bit steep" when you mean something is literally steep, like a hill or incline. This phrase is primarily used to describe prices or fees that are considered too high. If you want to describe the angle of an incline use alternatives such as "moderately steep" or similar wording.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a bit steep" functions as an adjectival phrase, modifying a noun (often related to price or cost) to express that something is considered excessively high. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a bit steep" is a common and grammatically correct way to express that something, typically a price or fee, is considered too high. Ludwig AI confirms this with numerous examples from reliable news and media sources. While it's suitable for neutral contexts, more formal settings might benefit from alternatives like "slightly expensive". Remember to avoid using it to describe literal inclines and to be mindful of your audience when choosing this phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

somewhat pricey

Emphasizes the cost aspect, indicating a higher price than expected.

slightly expensive

Highlights the cost but in a more moderate way.

rather high

Indicates that a price or figure is elevated but doesn't necessarily focus on cost.

somewhat unreasonable

Focuses on the fairness or justification of something, rather than its direct cost.

a touch excessive

Highlights that something is beyond what is necessary or appropriate.

a little inflated

Suggests that a price or value has been artificially increased.

a tad dear

A more formal way of saying something is expensive.

quite costly

Emphasizes the high cost of something.

somewhat overpriced

Explicitly states that something is priced higher than its actual worth.

a shade exorbitant

Indicates that something is excessively high or unreasonable in price.

FAQs

What does "a bit steep" mean?

The phrase "a bit steep" typically means that something, usually a price or fee, is considered too high or expensive. It suggests that the cost is somewhat unreasonable or more than expected.

How can I use "a bit steep" in a sentence?

You can use "a bit steep" in a sentence like this: "The entrance fee is "a bit steep" for a single visit."

What can I say instead of "a bit steep"?

You can use alternatives like "a bit pricey", "somewhat expensive", or "rather high" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "a bit steep" in formal writing?

While "a bit steep" is widely understood, it might be considered too informal for certain formal writing contexts. In such cases, using alternatives like "slightly expensive" or "somewhat unreasonable" may be more suitable.