a bit steep for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a bit steep for" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to express that something is considered too expensive or excessive in cost for a particular situation or item. Example: "The price of the concert tickets is a bit steep for my budget this month."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

44 human-written examples

A bit steep for dishes that were not exceptional.

The New York Times

Some might feel £4.99 is a bit steep for an app - but it's all relative.

The Guardian

DogVacay's site links to Kennel Pro's site, which says its policies start at $350 a year, which sounds a bit steep for someone hosting a dog only occasionally.

The New York Times

I thought the price a bit steep for puddings, but we all shared an assiette of desserts for a £2.50 supplement.

Independent

The bust, however, was quite flattening, and I find $1,190 a bit steep for cotton Lycra, even with such nice pintucks.

The New York Times

2 COST Works out at £13.33 for 100ml, which while not dear, seems a bit steep for Body Shop. 3 CLEANLINESS: Fine.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

16 human-written examples

I'm sorry that the learning curve will be a bit steeper for the first week.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

(The decline was a bit steeper for protection against H3N2 viruses). That might seem small, but people aren't starting from 100percentt protection.

HuffPost

It was a bit steep -- $39.50 for a 2.5-ounce bottle.

The New York Times - Magazine

There's also wine: I have a slurp of respectable Domaine Py Merlot (a bit steep at £4 for a small glass?).

Independent

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 for", ensure the context clearly indicates what the price is being compared to (e.g., quality, alternatives, budget).

Common error

While "a bit steep for" is widely understood, it can sound informal in professional writing. Opt for alternatives like "somewhat pricey" or "relatively expensive" to maintain a more professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a bit steep for" functions as an evaluative adjective phrase, typically used to express an opinion about the cost or value of something in relation to something else. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is a correct and usable phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Science

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a bit steep for" is a common and grammatically correct way to express that something is considered somewhat expensive or overpriced. As evidenced by Ludwig AI, it is frequently found in news and media sources. While generally neutral in register, it's advisable to use more formal alternatives in professional writing. When using the phrase, ensure clarity in specifying what the price is being compared to. Be mindful of overusing the expression in formal contexts, where phrases like "somewhat pricey" or "relatively expensive" might be more suitable.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

overpriced for

A direct synonym indicating that the price exceeds the perceived value.

somewhat pricey for

Replaces "steep" with "pricey", offering a more straightforward synonym for expensive.

a tad expensive for

Substitutes "bit" with "tad" and "steep" with "expensive", softening the criticism slightly.

rather costly for

Uses "rather" instead of "a bit", and "costly" in place of "steep", providing a slightly more formal tone.

unreasonably high for

Emphasizes the perceived unfairness of the price, suggesting it is not justified.

more than it's worth for

Focuses on the value proposition, indicating the price does not align with the item's worth.

a bit excessive for

Shifts the focus from price to the amount being too much in general.

slightly inflated for

Suggests the price has been artificially increased.

not justified for

Indicates that there is no good reason for the price to be so high.

beyond my budget for

Personalizes the statement, focusing on the speaker's inability to afford the item.

FAQs

What does it mean when something is described as "a bit steep for" something?

It means that the price of something is considered higher than what is reasonable or expected for the value, quality, or type of item or service in question.

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

You can use alternatives like "somewhat pricey for", "a tad expensive for", or "rather costly for depending on the context.

Is "a bit steep for" appropriate for formal writing?

While generally understood, "a bit steep for" leans towards the informal side. For formal contexts, consider using alternatives like "relatively expensive" or "somewhat costly" to maintain a more professional tone.

How to use "a bit steep for" in a sentence?

You can use "a bit steep for" to express that the price seems too high, such as, "The price is "a bit steep for" a product with such limited functionality."