foolish prices

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "foolish prices" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe prices that are considered unreasonable or excessively high, often implying that they are not justified. Example: "The restaurant charged foolish prices for a simple meal, leaving customers feeling cheated."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Lifestyle

Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

This is Gloucestershire, where the shopping parades are full of places selling pretty things you don't need but might want, at foolish prices.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

If they've attracted luxury high-rise developers, these markets may be propped up by recent condo closings at foolish prices agreed to two years ago.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Fuel bills will still be considerably higher this winter than last winter, which plays into Ed Milliband's hands when he talks about his economically foolish price freeze.

Independent

"That can become a self-reinforcing negative dynamic" that makes consumers fearful to spend and persuades them that buying a house is foolish until prices have fallen further.

The New York Times

Simply pricing your product based on how much it costs you to make it is downright foolish: The price you set determines, to a large extent, the perceived quality of your product.

Science Magazine

Cameron was left to look foolish over energy prices for 24 hours because the Department of Energy, a Lib Dem fiefdom, refused to come out and help him.

The Guardian

That may have persuaded the European Central Bank to raise rates as late as July 2008, a decision that now looks very foolish.Higher commodity prices transfer money from consuming to producing nations.

The Economist

In fairness, other CNBC commentators have said that this is foolish and that gold prices are too high.

The New York Times

"The simple fact is, we have a highly volatile revenue flow," Nahan said, adding that anyone who thought WA should have been able to predict the fall in iron-ore prices was "foolish".

The Guardian

He said he believed people who paid so much money for his paintings were foolish and foresaw that prices for his art would crash "when the art market corrects itself", as he was convinced it would.

The Guardian - Arts

And they have twigged that valuing big positions at prevailing market prices is foolish: the bigger the position, the worse the price they would get if they tried to unwind it.Perhaps most important, they are taking a long, hard look at how traders are paid.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "foolish prices", ensure the context clearly indicates why the prices are considered unwise or unreasonable. Provide specific reasons, such as comparing them to market averages or demonstrating the lack of added value.

Common error

Avoid using "foolish prices" when you simply mean "expensive". The phrase carries a stronger connotation of poor judgment or misallocation of resources, not just high cost.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "foolish prices" functions as a descriptive term, modifying the noun "prices" with the adjective "foolish". It indicates that the prices are not just high, but also unreasonable or ill-considered. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Formal & Business

17%

Lifestyle

17%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "foolish prices" is a grammatically correct phrase used to describe prices deemed unreasonably high, implying poor judgment or lack of justification. While recognized, the phrase is relatively rare in published content. Ludwig AI confirms its usability. It's important to distinguish this phrase from simply "high prices", as "foolish prices" carries a stronger connotation of imprudence. When using the phrase, provide context to clarify why the prices are considered unwise. Alternatives include "unreasonable costs", "exorbitant rates", or "ridiculous prices" depending on the specific shade of meaning you intend to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unreasonable costs

This alternative focuses on the lack of justification for the price.

exorbitant rates

This alternative emphasizes the excessive nature of the prices charged.

outrageous prices

This alternative highlights the shock or offense caused by the high prices.

excessive charges

This alternative points out that the fees are higher than what is acceptable.

ridiculous prices

This alternative suggests the prices are absurd and not to be taken seriously.

absurd prices

This alternative emphasizes the irrationality of the price levels.

unjustifiable prices

This alternative specifies that there is no good reason for the high cost.

overpriced goods

This alternative refers directly to the goods or services being sold at an inflated price.

uneconomical prices

This alternative implies it is not wise to pay such a price, from an economic standpoint.

preposterous prices

This alternative denotes prices that are completely unreasonable or nonsensical.

FAQs

What does "foolish prices" mean?

The phrase "foolish prices" refers to prices that are considered unreasonably high or excessively expensive, suggesting a lack of wisdom or justification in their determination.

When is it appropriate to use the term "foolish prices"?

It's appropriate when prices are not only high but also seem illogical or unjustified, perhaps due to poor market analysis or misjudgment by the seller. Consider alternatives like "unreasonable costs" or "exorbitant rates".

What are some alternatives to the phrase "foolish prices"?

Alternatives include "ridiculous prices", "absurd prices", "outrageous prices", or "excessive charges", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

How does "foolish prices" differ from simply saying "high prices"?

"Foolish prices" implies a level of imprudence or misjudgment in setting the price, suggesting that the high price is somehow unreasonable or unwarranted. "High prices" is a more neutral description, simply indicating that the price is above average.