at its height

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "at its height" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something that has reached its peak or highest point in development or activity. For example: "During the summer festival, the crowd was at its height and the streets were filled with people."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

At its height, it had 27m viewers.

The Guardian

At its height it was worth only $35 million.

The New York Times

At its height, it had branches in New York and Paris.

The New York Times

But, at its height, it had reported receiving telephone death threats against its leaders.

The Guardian

At its height, it claimed fifty thousand members, but never achieved significant success at the polls.

The New Yorker

Fifty firefighters tackled it at its height.

BBC

At its height it was one of the largest steel plants in Western Europe.

BBC

At its height, it was in New Orleans.

Huffington Post

At its height, it would strike me like some mass possession Jonestown or the Salem Witch Trials.

Vice

"It was serendipity at its height, just unbelievable," he said.

The New York Times

At its height, prosecutors say, it was overcharging clients $500 million a year.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "at its height", ensure the context clearly establishes what is being measured (e.g., power, popularity, size). This provides clarity and prevents ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "at its height" without specifying the relevant metric. For instance, stating "the company was at its height" is vague. Instead, specify "the company was at its height in revenue" or "at its height in market share" for precise communication.

Linguistic Context

At its height functions as a prepositional phrase modifying a noun or clause, indicating when something was at its maximum level or most intense period. Ludwig confirms this usage, presenting numerous examples across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

77%

Academia

12%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Science

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "at its height" is a versatile prepositional phrase used to denote the peak or most intense period of something. Ludwig AI confirms that it is grammatically sound and widely used, appearing in a variety of contexts, particularly in news and media. It is crucial to specify the context and metric when using this phrase to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives like "at its peak" or "at its zenith" can be used to convey similar meanings, but they may vary slightly in formality or connotation. Remembering these nuances can help enhance writing precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

at its peak

Focuses specifically on the highest point achieved.

at its zenith

More formal, suggesting a culminating point of success or power.

at its apex

Similar to zenith, but can also refer to a literal high point.

at its prime

Emphasizes a period of flourishing and optimal condition.

at its maximum

Highlights the greatest extent or quantity reached.

in its heyday

Refers to a past period of great success or popularity.

at its most intense

Focuses on the greatest degree of intensity or force.

at its strongest

Highlights the period of greatest power or resilience.

at its most developed

Emphasizes the highest stage of growth or advancement.

at its culmination

Highlights the end result after a process of growth or development

FAQs

How can I use "at its height" in a sentence?

Use "at its height" to describe the peak or most intense period of something. For instance, "The Roman Empire was "at its height" during the reign of Emperor Trajan."

What are some alternatives to saying "at its height"?

You can use alternatives such as "at its peak", "at its zenith", or "in its heyday" depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it correct to say "in its height" instead of "at its height"?

No, the correct and idiomatic expression is ""at its height"". "In its height" is not a standard English phrase and should be avoided.

What's the difference between "at its height" and "at its peak"?

While both phrases indicate the highest point, ""at its height"" can refer to the period of greatest influence or intensity, whereas "at its peak" typically refers to a specific high point or apex.