on the high side

USAGE SUMMARY

"on the high side" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when expressing that something is more than you expected it to be or more than is typical. For example, you might say, "The cost of the renovation is a bit on the high side, but we'll make it work."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Carrying costs are on the high side.

The New York Times

Maintenance is on the high side.

The New York Times

Decent wine selections, priced on the high side.

The New York Times

(The company says that is "on the high side").

The New York Times - Tech

Maintenance is a bit on the high side.

The New York Times

The asking price, $340,000, was on the high side.

The New York Times

"For a podcast it's kind of on the high side.

The Guardian

Prices are a shade on the high side of moderate.

The Guardian - Travel

The PM2.5 reading was on the high side.

The New Yorker

But that may be on the high side.

The Economist

"I like to think I'm on the high side of the middle.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "on the high side" to gently indicate that a price, estimate, or quantity is more than expected without being overly critical. It softens the impact of potentially negative information.

Common error

While versatile, "on the high side" can sound informal in highly professional or academic writing. Opt for alternatives like "relatively high" or "somewhat excessive" for a more appropriate tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "on the high side" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or adjective to indicate that something is more than expected, average, or desired. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and usable in English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

57%

Science

16%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "on the high side" is a common and grammatically sound way to express that something is more than expected or average. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. It's frequently used in news and media, as well as in scientific and business contexts. While versatile, it's important to consider the context and opt for more formal alternatives like "relatively high" when necessary. Remember, use it to gently indicate that a value or quantity is elevated without being overly critical. Related phrases include "somewhat excessive" and "rather expensive". By understanding its nuances, you can effectively incorporate it into your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

relatively high

A straightforward way of saying that something is above average compared to other things of the same type.

on the expensive end

Similar to "on the high side" but more explicitly focused on monetary cost.

on the higher end of the spectrum

More formally expresses placement towards the top of a range or scale.

somewhat overpriced

Directly conveys that the price exceeds what is considered fair or reasonable.

rather expensive

Specifically relates to cost being higher than expected or desired.

fairly steep

Suggests a high price or rate, often implying difficulty or undesirability.

approaching the upper limit

Indicates nearing the maximum acceptable or possible level.

somewhat excessive

Implies a degree beyond what is considered acceptable or reasonable.

slightly inflated

Implies an artificial increase or exaggeration of a value or amount.

a bit too much

A more general expression indicating something exceeds a comfortable or acceptable limit.

FAQs

How can I use "on the high side" in a sentence?

You can use "on the high side" to describe costs, estimates, or quantities that are more than expected. For example, "The project's initial budget was $10,000, but the final cost came in "on the high side"."

What's a less informal substitute for "on the high side"?

For more formal contexts, consider alternatives like "relatively high", "somewhat excessive", or "approaching the upper limit".

Is it correct to say "biased on the high side"?

The phrase "biased on the high side" is acceptable but less common. It's often clearer to simply say the estimate or value "errs "on the high side"".

What does it mean when something is described as "a bit on the high side"?

Describing something as "a bit "on the high side"" indicates it's slightly more than expected or desired, but not excessively so. It's a mild way of expressing that something is somewhat expensive or excessive.