at their height

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "at their height" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a peak or maximum point of something, such as a period of success, intensity, or development. Example: "The company was thriving at their height, with record profits and a rapidly expanding customer base."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

"But the feminist culture-wars were at their height at that time," she says.

Huffington Post

Holdups and beat-downs were at their height.

The New Yorker

At their height the Habsburgs transmitted the Renaissance.

The Guardian - Arts

But Mr. Avery and his company were at their height.

The New York Times

"The Vietnam War protests and atrocities were at their height.

The New Yorker

Always a variable live act even at their height – especially at their height – New Order start out sounding ragged.

The Guardian - Music

Take the first month of this year, when Russian and Syrian airstrikes were at their height.

The Guardian - Opinion

And the Bush tax plan was formulated when such delusions were at their height.

The New York Times

Mr. Hirschhorn started the chicken farm in '38, when the rats were at their height.

The New Yorker

At their height, technical schools failed to cater for more than 2% of students.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

I love The Wire and I love The Sopranos but I don't think any of modern television has gotten better and left at their height..

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "at their height" to describe a period of maximum achievement, intensity, or influence. Ensure the context clearly defines what 'their' refers to and what aspect is at its peak.

Common error

Avoid ambiguity by ensuring that the subject to which "their" refers is explicitly stated or clearly implied. Vague references can confuse readers.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at their height" functions as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb or clause, indicating the time or state when something was at its most powerful, successful, or intense. Ludwig's examples show the phrase being used to describe different entities at their apex of influence or development.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Formal & Business

15%

Encyclopedias

7%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Science

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "at their height" is a versatile and grammatically sound expression used to describe the period when something attains its maximum level of success, intensity, or power. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is applicable across various contexts, although predominantly found in "News & Media", business and encyclopedic sources. When using "at their height", ensure that the subject is clearly defined to avoid ambiguity. Consider alternatives like "at their peak" or "in their prime" to add nuance to your writing. By understanding its function and potential pitfalls, you can effectively incorporate "at their height" into your writing to convey periods of significant achievement or activity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

at their peak

Indicates the point of greatest success or achievement, similar to "at their height" but with a slightly different connotation of sharpness.

at their zenith

Implies the highest point of development or prosperity, conveying a sense of culmination more strongly than "at their height".

at their apex

Refers to the highest point or climax, often used in more formal or technical contexts compared to "at their height".

at their maximum

Indicates the greatest possible amount or degree, providing a direct and quantifiable sense of scale.

in their prime

Describes the period when someone or something is at their best in terms of condition or effectiveness, focusing on the quality of the period.

at their most powerful

Emphasizes the strength and influence exerted, specifying power as the key attribute at its maximum.

at their acme

Similar to zenith and apex, indicating the point of highest achievement, but is less commonly used.

at their best

Describes the time when something performs or appears most favorably, focusing on optimal condition.

at their most intense

Highlights the high degree of strength or emotion, making it suitable for describing periods of extreme activity.

at their fullest

Conveys a sense of completeness and saturation, suitable for describing experiences or capacities.

FAQs

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

Use "at their height" to describe a time when something was most successful, powerful, or intense. For example, "The Roman Empire was at their height during the reign of Emperor Trajan."

What's an alternative to using "at their height"?

You can use alternatives like "at their peak", "at their zenith", or "in their prime" depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "at it's height" instead of "at their height"?

No, "at it's height" is grammatically incorrect. The correct phrasing is "at its height" (possessive) or "at their height" (plural possessive), depending on whether you're referring to a singular or plural entity.

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

While similar, "at their height" generally refers to a period of overall success or intensity, while "at their peak" might imply a more specific, sharp, or defined point of maximum achievement.