not terribly high

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "not terribly high" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is not very elevated or significant in height or level, often in a somewhat informal context. Example: "The prices for the concert tickets are not terribly high, making it accessible for most fans."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

Even so, Dow Chemical's chances of stopping this deal are not terribly high.

The New York Times

While the price tag is not terribly high by Qatari standards (725 riyals a person, or about $200 for a seven-course tasting menu), getting a reservation is easy, with less than a third of the restaurant's 60 seats occupied one evening at the end of last month.

The New York Times - Food

But even those population levels were not terribly high, as the barn owl had suffered a historical decline from the mid 1800s through to the late 1980s, as a result of increasingly intensive agriculture which affected barn owls' habitat and prey.

The Guardian

He says his funding is "not terribly high by U.S. standards, but it's enough to sustain a small-sized lab.

Science Magazine

As a social worker case manager stated: "Now, a pension in Belgium is not terribly high.

BMC Geriatrics

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

Also, of all the ways to go, "waiting for a Kanye show that will likely not happen" wasn't terribly high on the list.

Los Angeles Times

The margins on storing products for companies aren't terribly high, but adding more shipments to its global network is crucial if the company is going to make its brown trucks as recognizable as the FedEx logo.

Huffington Post

and the personality trait of "conscientiousness" isn't terribly high, but I.Q. is related to measures of self-control, including the ability to to delay immediate gratification for longer-term gains (called "delay discounting").

Huffington Post

The spike in delinquencies are coming off historically good credit quality in 2004, they note, and the levels of delinquencies aren't terribly higher than they were in the last subprime lending crisis of 1999 to 2000.

Forbes

Job security may not be terribly high, but on the bright side dead doesn't necessarily mean gone, since most of the departed characters make post-mortem reappearances as ghosts that Tommy can never escape.

The New York Times - Arts

HONG KONG — For the business, political and media glitterati assembled in the rarefied Alpine atmosphere of Davos, air pollution has probably not been terribly high on the agenda.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider using synonyms like "relatively low" or "moderately low" for conciseness, especially in formal contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "not terribly high" when you mean something is extremely low. The phrase implies a moderate level, not a minimal one.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "not terribly high" functions as an adverbial phrase modifying an adjective. It serves to qualify the degree to which something is considered "high", indicating it is less so than expected. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "not terribly high" is a grammatically correct adverbial phrase used to indicate that something is below average or expected, but not dramatically so. Ludwig AI confirms its general usability and correctness. It is most commonly found in news and media contexts, with a neutral register suitable for a range of audiences. While "not terribly high" is a useful expression, consider alternatives like "relatively low" or "moderately low" for increased precision or conciseness, especially in formal settings. Remember, the phrase is effective for downplaying a high level, but not appropriate for describing something extremely low.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not particularly high

Replaces "terribly" with "particularly", offering a slightly more formal tone.

not especially high

Substitutes "terribly" with "especially", implying a slightly lower degree of intensity.

not overly high

Uses "overly" instead of "terribly", suggesting that something does not exceed a certain expected level.

not excessively high

Replaces "terribly" with "excessively", indicating that something is not at an extreme level.

relatively low

Offers a more direct and concise way to express that something is below average or expected.

moderately low

Uses "moderately" to specify that something is lower than average, but not extremely so.

not remarkably high

Substitutes "terribly" with "remarkably", implying that something isn't noteworthy or exceptional.

not significantly high

Replaces "terribly" with "significantly", suggesting that something is not important in amount.

somewhat low

Indicates a degree of lowness, but implies it is not extreme.

fairly low

Implies that something is more low than medium.

FAQs

What does "not terribly high" mean?

The phrase "not terribly high" indicates that something is below average or expected, but not dramatically or extremely so. It suggests a moderate level.

What can I say instead of "not terribly high"?

You can use alternatives like "not particularly high", "relatively low", or "moderately low" depending on the context.

Is "not terribly high" formal or informal?

The phrase "not terribly high" is generally considered to be neutral in tone, suitable for both informal and semi-formal contexts. For highly formal settings, more precise language may be preferred.

How can I use "not terribly high" in a sentence?

You can use "not terribly high" to describe prices, expectations, or levels. For example: "The prices for the concert tickets are not terribly high" or "My expectations for the project are not terribly high".