attain the summit

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "attain the summit" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to reaching the highest point of a mountain or achieving a significant goal or milestone. Example: "After years of hard work and dedication, she was finally able to attain the summit of her career."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

He returned a year later, to attain the summit via the standard route — a step toward the goal.

The New Yorker

Each one, for his own reasons, is trying to do a big year, to attain the summit of the birding subculture by logging more sightings than anyone else.

The New York Times

This achievement represented the only case where a woman climber would attain the summit of a major mountain before a male climber.

Huffington Post

Holiday-making was a favorite theme of the impressionists, who "…show their particular talent and attain the summit of their art when they paint our French Sundays…kisses in the sun, picnics, complete rest, not a thought about work, unashamed relaxation" (6 ).

Emerging Infectious Diseases

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

He attained the summit of his art whenever he combined his exquisite taste with his infallible intuition for the appropriate image by which to transcribe his dreams of a lost paradise of beauty, fulfillment, innocence, and youth.

Encyclopedia Britannica

He claimed to have reached the North Pole on April 22, 1908, but that has been disputed, and he also claimed to have attained the summit of Mount McKinley in September, 1908.

Evolution: Education and Outreach

And for the most part "Over the Top" attains the summit of spectacle.

The New York Times - Arts

Attain the proper stats.

WikiHow

Attain the correct conversion temperature(s).

WikiHow

Judged by summits attained, the early decades of Himalayan climbing were a dismal failure.

The New York Times - Books

Similarly, the increased risk of death associated with summit success is intuitive in view of the amplified danger, increased fatigue, and prolonged exposure time associated with attaining the highest point as well as the potential for "summit fever," the notoriously bad judgment associated with summiting at any cost.

British Medical Journal

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "attain the summit" when you want to emphasize a challenging but successful achievement, whether literally climbing a mountain or figuratively reaching a significant goal.

Common error

Avoid using "attain the summit" in everyday situations where simpler phrases like "reach the top" or "achieve the goal" would suffice. This phrase is most effective when highlighting significant effort and accomplishment.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "attain the summit" functions as a verb phrase, where 'attain' is the verb and 'the summit' is the direct object. It typically describes the action of successfully reaching a literal or figurative peak. Ludwig confirms its correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

33%

Encyclopedias

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "attain the summit" signifies achieving a high point, whether literally or figuratively, and is considered grammatically correct. Although relatively rare, its usage spans across News & Media, Science, and Encyclopedias. As Ludwig confirms, it is suitable when emphasizing effort and accomplishment. For simpler contexts, consider alternatives like "reach the top". It's key to remember that this phrase is most effective when highlighting significant effort and accomplishment, avoiding overuse in simple contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

reach the peak

Replaces "attain" with "reach", a more common synonym, slightly altering the formality.

achieve the summit

Substitutes "attain" with "achieve", conveying a sense of accomplishment.

reach the highest point

Uses a more literal and descriptive phrasing for reaching a top position.

ascend to the summit

Replaces "attain" with "ascend", suggesting a gradual and upward movement.

arrive at the summit

Substitutes "attain" with "arrive", focusing on the act of reaching a destination.

gain the summit

Replaces "attain" with "gain", which emphasizes acquiring something valuable.

scale the heights

Employs a metaphorical expression, indicating a challenging climb to success.

conquer the summit

Implies a more forceful and triumphant achievement.

make it to the top

Offers a more colloquial and less formal way to express success.

climb to the top

A simpler and more direct way of expressing the same idea, using common vocabulary.

FAQs

What does "attain the summit" mean?

The phrase "attain the summit" means to successfully reach the highest point, either literally, like the top of a mountain, or figuratively, like achieving a major goal. You can use "reach the peak" or "achieve the summit" as an alternative.

Is it better to say "attain the summit" or "reach the summit"?

Both "attain the summit" and "reach the summit" are correct, but "reach the summit" is more common and less formal. "Attain" suggests a greater degree of effort and accomplishment. Consider using "ascend to the summit" if you want to add a sense of gradual movement.

How can I use "attain the summit" in a sentence?

You can use "attain the summit" when describing the achievement of a difficult goal. For example, "After years of training, the athlete finally attained the summit of their sport." Another possibility is "conquer the summit", if the goal required a lot of effort and overcoming obstacles.

What are some synonyms for "attain the summit"?

Some synonyms for "attain the summit" include "reach the highest point", "make it to the top" and "scale the heights". Choose the synonym that best fits the context and tone of your writing.