steep cliff

USAGE SUMMARY

"steep cliff" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to describe a physical landscape feature, such as: The road wound its way through the forest, until it suddenly came to a stop in front of a steep cliff.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Steep cliff walls radiated the warm, golden sunlight.

The New York Times - Travel

The boy stood at the edge of a steep cliff.

The New Yorker

One of Grandma's business ventures, a housing development, clings to an impossibly steep cliff.

The New York Times

It's around 1.5 miles from Fowey and Polruan and only accessible by a steep cliff path.

The Guardian - Travel

They drove a sleek black limousine over the edge of a steep cliff.

The Guardian - Opinion

There are high costs, steep cliff edges and significant losers in the government's plans, he says.

The Guardian

On the Cambodian side, it can be reached only by a narrow road cut into a steep cliff.

The New York Times

In combination with a narrow ledge and a fall off a steep cliff, this can prove deadly.

The Economist

A narrow 30-acre expanse on a steep cliff of Manhattan schist, the park is named for its sunrise views.

The New York Times

With magnificent views into the valley, it huddles against a steep cliff at the foot of the Taiyetos mountains.

The Guardian - Travel

He shows us the footage: a warm spring day, a steep cliff, blue water and Coogan arcing into the air.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In metaphorical contexts involving finances or data, "steep cliff" works well to describe a sudden and dangerous decline, but ensure the context supports the imagery of a fall.

Common error

Avoid using "vertical steep cliff", as "vertical" describes a specific 90-degree angle while "steep" describes a high-degree slope. Choose one or the other based on the actual geography you are describing to avoid tautology.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "steep cliff" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "steep" modifies the noun "cliff". It serves as a spatial descriptor in narrative prose and a technical geographical term in scientific reports. Ludwig AI identifies it as a highly stable collocation with no grammatical controversies.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

20%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

1%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "steep cliff" is a quintessential example of clear, effective English description. Ludwig's analysis shows it is exceptionally frequent in top-tier publications, ranging from descriptive journalism in The New Yorker to technical descriptions in scientific journals. It is most commonly used to describe physical landscape features, but it also possesses a strong metaphorical life in economic and political commentary to signal sudden, uncontrolled drops. For writers, it remains one of the most reliable and universally understood ways to convey the concept of a sharp vertical decline.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

precipitous cliff

Uses more formal vocabulary to emphasize a dangerously high and steep drop

sheer cliff

Implies a nearly vertical or perfectly vertical drop without any slope

steep escarpment

Refers to a long, steep slope, especially one at the edge of a plateau

abrupt precipice

Emphasizes the suddenness of the drop-off

vertical rock face

Focuses on the physical material and the 90-degree angle of the terrain

sharp incline

Describes the angle of the slope rather than the landform itself

steep hillside

Refers to a slope that is less dramatic than a cliff face

rugged bluff

Suggests a steep, broad-faced bank or cliff with a rough texture

towering crag

Focuses on a steep or rugged rock that rises above its surroundings

vertiginous drop

Describes the height and steepness in terms of the dizzying sensation it causes

FAQs

What is a more formal synonym for "steep cliff"?

A highly formal and precise alternative is "precipitous cliff", which is frequently used in scientific and literary contexts.

When should I use "steep cliff" instead of "sheer cliff"?

Use "steep cliff" for any high, sharp incline. Use ""sheer cliff"" specifically when the rock face is almost entirely vertical and lacks any stepping points or significant slope.

Can "steep cliff" be used to describe financial data?

Yes, it is often used metaphorically to describe a "sharp decline" in stock prices, budgets, or economic indicators, suggesting a dangerous and sudden drop.

Is "steep cliff" grammatically correct?

Yes, it is a perfectly correct adjective-noun pairing. According to Ludwig AI, it is a very common phrase used by authoritative sources like The New York Times and The Economist.