highest bid

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "highest bid" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in the context of auctions or competitive bidding situations to refer to the most substantial offer made for an item or service. Example: "The highest bid for the painting reached an astonishing $1 million during the auction."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

Bidding ends on March 11th and the highest bid is currently $315.

TechCrunch

The highest bid was $825.

The New York Times

The dealer may "hold" (repeat) the highest bid.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The highest bid takes the horse, and any prize money won stays with the previous owner.

The New York Times

The council's understanding of the term is straightforward - best value equals highest bid.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The highest bid in an open auction is, by definition, "fair market value".

The New York Times

After that sale, the exchange said the highest bid for a seat was $1.7 million.

The New York Times

The highest bid during that sale -- $8 million -- was a fake.

The New York Times - Science

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

The Schulsons offered $671,000, the third-highest bid.

The New York Times

The next-highest bid, from Uniao de Bancos Brasileiros, or Unibanco, was $1.06 billion.

The New York Times

The next-highest bid for each bronze was around $17 million.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Be specific about the context when using "highest bid". Mentioning the item being bid on (e.g., "highest bid for the painting") provides clarity.

Common error

Avoid assuming that the "highest bid" automatically equates to the 'best' value for all parties. The seller might have preferred another bidder for non-monetary reasons.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "highest bid" functions primarily as a noun phrase. It denotes the maximum monetary offer made in a competitive bidding scenario. As Ludwig AI confirms, the term is widely understood.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Encyclopedias

19%

Science

6%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

2%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "highest bid" is a commonly used and grammatically sound phrase that refers to the maximum offer in a bidding scenario. As Ludwig AI highlights, it's widely accepted and understood. Predominantly found in News & Media and Encyclopedia sources, it serves to inform and report on auction outcomes. For alternatives, consider "top offer" or "winning bid". When employing this phrase, ensure clarity by specifying the item being bid on and avoid equating the "highest bid" solely with 'best' value, as other non-monetary factors might influence the seller's decision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

winning bid

Focuses on the bid that ultimately secures the item or contract, highlighting the outcome rather than just the amount.

top offer

Uses simpler language to convey the same meaning, suitable for less formal contexts.

leading bid

Emphasizes the current status of the bid as being the highest, implying potential for change.

maximum bid

Highlights the upper limit of an offer, stressing the bidder's willingness to pay.

peak bid

Implies a bid that reached the highest point during an auction or bidding process.

best offer

Focuses on the quality and attractiveness of the offer, rather than just the numerical value.

ultimate bid

Indicates the final and decisive bid, often implying no further offers will be made.

prevailing bid

Highlights the bid that is currently in effect or considered superior.

record bid

Suggests the bid is the highest ever made for a particular item or in a specific context.

superior offer

Emphasizes the advantageous nature of the offer compared to others.

FAQs

How is the term "highest bid" typically used?

The term "highest bid" is commonly used to refer to the largest monetary offer made in an auction or competitive bidding situation. It often determines the winner, assuming all other conditions are equal.

What's an alternative to saying "highest bid"?

You could use alternatives like "top offer", "winning bid", or "maximum bid" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to assume the "highest bid" always wins?

While the "highest bid" usually wins, there can be exceptions. Sometimes, other factors such as the bidder's reputation, financing terms, or specific conditions attached to the bid can influence the final decision.

What are some common contexts where the phrase "highest bid" is used?

The phrase "highest bid" is commonly encountered in contexts such as real estate auctions, art auctions, online bidding platforms (like eBay), and government contract bidding processes.