high overhead

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "high overhead" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in a business context to refer to significant ongoing expenses that are not directly tied to producing goods or services. Example: "The company's high overhead has made it difficult to maintain profitability in a competitive market."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

High overhead,.

The New Yorker

High overhead was Gumbs's d.j.j

The New Yorker

A small plane high overhead?

The New Yorker

Adoption also requires a high overhead.

The New York Times

And the circling condors high overhead.

The New York Times - Travel

The company was plagued with high overhead and ineffective management.

The New York Times

God was the hawk, high overhead, overlooking us all.

The New York Times - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

4 human-written examples

Mushing is high-overhead and doesn't pay even its best athletes well.

The Guardian

They are high-overhead operations compared to a family-held showroom, and probably loaded with debt.

Forbes

That's a 9%return, four times what a conventional high-overhead retail grocer typically earns.

Forbes

However, this high-overhead configuration is built for secure performance, and this has pre-conditioned your buyer.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To improve clarity, quantify "high overhead" whenever possible by providing specific figures or percentages.

Common error

Avoid including direct production costs (materials, labor) when calculating "high overhead". Overhead should primarily encompass fixed expenses such as rent, utilities, and administrative salaries.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "high overhead" functions primarily as a noun phrase, where "high" modifies the noun "overhead". It describes the level or magnitude of overhead costs, as confirmed by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

59%

Formal & Business

25%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Science

4%

Social Media

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "high overhead" is a common noun phrase used to describe significant operating expenses, as confirmed by Ludwig. It’s grammatically correct and predominantly found in news and formal business contexts. Alternatives like "substantial expenses" or "elevated operating costs" can be used depending on the desired emphasis. A key writing tip is to quantify the overhead when possible, and be sure not to confuse overhead with direct costs.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

substantial expenses

Focuses on the monetary aspect, emphasizing the significant amount of expenses incurred.

elevated operating costs

Specifically refers to the costs associated with running a business or organization, highlighting their elevated nature.

considerable expenditures

Highlights the large amount of money being spent.

significant financial burden

Shifts the focus to the negative impact of high costs, portraying them as a burden.

excessive outlay

Implies that the spending is more than necessary or reasonable.

above

Refers to something being in a higher position.

aloft

Describes something positioned high up in the air.

overhead

A more concise version focusing on position.

up above

Adds a sense of direction and position.

in the sky

Describes something positioned high in the sky.

FAQs

How is "high overhead" typically used in a business context?

In business, "high overhead" refers to substantial ongoing expenses not directly tied to production. It impacts profitability and competitiveness. Examples of alternatives are "substantial expenses" or "elevated operating costs".

What are some common factors that contribute to "high overhead" in a company?

Common contributors include high rent or mortgage payments, excessive administrative staffing, outdated technology requiring frequent maintenance, and inefficient energy consumption.

When is it appropriate to use "high overhead" in a sentence?

It's appropriate when discussing the financial performance of a company or project, particularly when analyzing its profitability or comparing it to competitors with lower fixed costs. An alternative could be "significant financial burden".

What are the potential consequences of a business having "high overhead"?

Potential consequences include reduced profit margins, difficulty competing on price, increased pressure to generate high sales volume, and vulnerability during economic downturns.