exorbitant outlay

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "exorbitant outlay" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an excessively high expenditure or cost associated with a particular project or investment. Example: "The company's decision to expand its operations led to an exorbitant outlay that strained its financial resources."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Matsuzaka did help Boston win a World Series in 2007, his rookie season, and was 18-3 in 2008, but his 9.2 wins above replacement in six seasons with the Red Sox hardly justified Boston's exorbitant outlay.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

The thrill was exorbitant.

Independent

Did we mean "outlay"?

The New York Times

Prices are often exorbitant.

The New York Times - Food

And the costs are exorbitant.

Independent

Ticket prices are exorbitant by Indian standards.

Independent

Fans have paid exorbitant prices for tickets.

The New York Times - Sports

The outlay would be modest.

The New York Times

"They paid themselves exorbitant salaries.

The New York Times - Sports

The costs have been exorbitant.

The Guardian - Opinion

Is that an exorbitant amount?

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "exorbitant outlay", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being paid for and why the cost is considered excessively high. Providing specific figures or comparisons can strengthen your argument.

Common error

Avoid using "exorbitant outlay" to describe a result or consequence without clearly linking it to the initial investment. It's important to clarify the direct connection between the expense and the perceived excessiveness.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "exorbitant outlay" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "exorbitant" modifies the noun "outlay". It describes a particular type of expenditure that is considered excessive. Ludwig confirms the correctness and usability of this phrase.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "exorbitant outlay" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe an excessively high expenditure. While Ludwig marks it as correct and usable, its occurrence is relatively rare. It's primarily found in neutral contexts like News & Media, where it serves to express disapproval of high costs. When using the phrase, ensure the context clearly identifies the cause of the outlay. Consider alternatives like "excessive expenditure" or "outrageous expense" for varied expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

excessive expenditure

Replaces "outlay" with a more general term for spending, maintaining the focus on the high amount.

outrageous expense

Substitutes "exorbitant" with "outrageous", emphasizing the shocking or unacceptable nature of the cost.

prohibitive cost

Focuses on the cost being so high that it prevents someone from doing something.

astronomical investment

Replaces outlay with investment, highlighting the large amount of money put into something.

unreasonable spending

Highlights the lack of justification for the high expenditure.

over-the-top expenses

Emphasizes the extravagance of the costs incurred.

lavish spending

Focuses on the luxurious and often unnecessary nature of the expenditure.

huge financial commitment

Highlights the significant financial obligation involved.

massive cash injection

Emphasizes the large amount of money being put into something, especially in a short period.

disproportionate investment

Emphasizes the imbalance between the investment and the expected return.

FAQs

How to use "exorbitant outlay" in a sentence?

You can use "exorbitant outlay" to describe situations where there's been excessive spending. For example: "The company's decision to expand its operations led to an "exorbitant outlay" that strained its financial resources.".

What can I say instead of "exorbitant outlay"?

You can use alternatives like "excessive expenditure", "outrageous expense", or "prohibitive cost" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "exorbitant outlay"?

"Exorbitant outlay" is appropriate when emphasizing that a particular expense or investment is considered unreasonably or excessively high. It's useful for conveying a sense of disapproval or concern about the level of spending.

What distinguishes "exorbitant outlay" from "significant investment"?

"Exorbitant outlay" implies that the spending is considered too high or wasteful, carrying a negative connotation. "Significant investment", on the other hand, simply describes a large financial commitment without necessarily implying disapproval.