outrageous fees

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "outrageous fees" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe fees that are excessively high or unreasonable, often in contexts related to services, products, or financial transactions. Example: "Many customers were shocked by the outrageous fees charged for basic services, leading to widespread complaints."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

39 human-written examples

Letting agents, who arrange most such tenancies, charge all sorts of outrageous fees for renewing contracts.

The Economist

"She ignores effects of credit scoring and outrageous fees banks are charging for those refinancings.

The New York Times

Plus, Capital One cards do not hit users with the outrageous fees that most other card companies do when a transaction originates outside of the United States.

The New York Times

And that makes it all too easy for established incumbents to thwart newcomers by citing bogus safety concerns, imposing lengthy approval processes or demanding outrageous fees.

The Economist

"The outrageous fees he charges are a test to make sure his patients truly appreciate that life itself is more valuable than any amount of money," said Palmer.

The Guardian

Other hostel bonuses often include staff offering advice on cheap eats and activities, plus free internet access, while some luxury hotels are, unfathomably, still charging outrageous fees.

The Guardian - Travel

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

18 human-written examples

And what an outrageous fee it charges monthly for service.

The New York Times

A new contract with Everton had been announced for some outrageous fee (let's say he was due to make £10M from it, because I honestly can't remember).

The Guardian - Sport

You may find a large number of phony counseling agencies that offer their services for an outrageous fee.

Forbes

But as an expert, I've learned that consumer finance policy is a lot like whack-a-mole--after years of wrangling, one outrageous fee is banned while a dozen blossom in its place.

Huffington Post

Acting on behalf of Kimberly Craven, a Sisseton-Wahpeton Ovate tribe member, Frank argued that the case was about pure greed, stating that it included "an outrageous fee request that has resulted in bipartisan criticism" and that the Class Counsel were "more interested in maximizing their personal recovery than the interests of the class".

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing fees, provide specific examples or context to illustrate why they are considered "outrageous". This strengthens your argument and resonates more with the audience.

Common error

Avoid labeling all fees as "outrageous" without proper justification. This weakens the impact of the phrase and may come across as hyperbolic. Reserve it for truly exorbitant or unjustified charges.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "outrageous fees" functions primarily as a noun phrase where the adjective "outrageous" modifies the noun "fees", characterizing them as shockingly excessive or unacceptable. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Formal & Business

18%

Wiki

7%

Less common in

Science

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "outrageous fees" is used to describe charges considered excessively high or unfair. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage across various contexts, especially in News & Media. While "outrageous fees" is widely understood, it's crucial to provide context and justification to avoid overuse or hyperbole. Consider alternative phrases like "exorbitant charges" or "excessive costs" for a more nuanced approach. Avoid labeling all fees as "outrageous" and reserve the term for truly exorbitant and unjustified amounts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

exorbitant charges

Replaces "outrageous" with "exorbitant", emphasizing the excessive nature of the fees.

excessive costs

Substitutes both words with simpler terms, focusing on the unreasonable amount.

unreasonable charges

Emphasizes the lack of justification for the fees.

inflated prices

Highlights the artificial increase in price leading to high fees.

rip-off fees

A more informal term suggesting the fees are a form of exploitation.

sky-high fees

Uses a vivid metaphor to describe the extreme level of the fees.

extortionate rates

Implies the fees are unfairly high and potentially coercive.

prohibitive costs

Focuses on the deterrent effect of the high fees.

unconscionable fees

Highlights the unethical nature of the fees charged.

exaggerated expenses

Points out that the fees are an overstatement of actual costs.

FAQs

How can I use "outrageous fees" in a sentence?

You can use "outrageous fees" to describe charges that are excessively high or unfair. For example, "Many customers complained about the "outrageous fees" associated with international transactions."

What's a less judgmental way to refer to high fees?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "high fees", "premium charges", or "elevated costs" to maintain a more neutral tone.

What makes a fee "outrageous"?

A fee becomes "outrageous" when it's significantly higher than comparable services, lacks clear justification, or appears to exploit a customer's vulnerability. The perception of fairness and value plays a key role.

Are there legal limits to how high fees can be?

Yes, certain types of fees are regulated by law, such as interest rates on loans or late payment charges. However, many service fees are unregulated, leaving consumers to rely on competition and transparency to avoid "outrageous fees".