steep cost

USAGE SUMMARY

"steep cost" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It refers to the high or excessive amount of money, effort, or sacrifice required for something. Example: The decision to invest in new technology came with a steep cost, but the company believed it would ultimately benefit their operations in the long run.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

His independent stance also carried a potentially steep cost.

The New Yorker

Staying closed on Sundays can come at a steep cost.

The New York Times

For sellers, liquidity comes at a steep cost.

The New York Times

Landau gives us the sublime feeling that formal accomplishment comes with a steep cost.

The New Yorker

CCS is a proven technology that could help mitigate climate change, but at a steep cost.

The Economist

The big lesson of financial crises is that too much optimism exacts a steep cost.

The New York Times

Although Mr. Stern brought listeners and prominence to Sirius, the move had a steep cost.

The New York Times

The current plan to equip lines by 2035 comes at a steep cost, estimated at more than $2.6 billion.

The New York Times

His participation in American democracy came at a steep cost: The government is now trying to deport him.

The New York Times

But lawmakers in both parties voiced anger over the steep cost and even skepticism about the plan's chances of success.

The New York Times

On Friday, officials from various industries met with White House officials to detail the shutdown's steep cost.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "steep cost" to emphasize that something requires significant resources or sacrifices. It implies that the cost is almost prohibitive or comes with a considerable downside.

Common error

Avoid using "steep cost" solely for monetary expenses. It also applies to non-monetary sacrifices like time, effort, or ethical compromises. Always consider the broader implications when quantifying the "steep cost" of a decision or action.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "steep cost" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as a subject, object, or complement in a sentence. Ludwig AI confirms its widespread use across diverse contexts. The adjective "steep" modifies the noun "cost", indicating a significant or excessive amount.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

72%

Formal & Business

11%

Science

10%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "steep cost" is a commonly used noun phrase that effectively conveys a significant or excessive expenditure, whether it be monetary or involving other sacrifices. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and broad applicability, particularly in contexts such as news reporting and business discussions. While alternatives like "high price" or "considerable expense" exist, "steep cost" uniquely emphasizes the potentially prohibitive nature of the expenditure. When using this phrase, consider the broader implications beyond just monetary costs to fully capture its intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

high price

Replaces "cost" with "price", focusing on the monetary aspect but applicable to other sacrifices as well.

considerable expense

Substitutes "steep" with "considerable" and "cost" with "expense", emphasizing a significant financial burden.

significant sacrifice

Shifts the focus from financial cost to the idea of a substantial sacrifice or loss.

heavy toll

Uses a metaphorical expression to convey a substantial negative impact or consequence.

substantial outlay

Emphasizes the significant amount of resources or money expended.

exorbitant fee

Highlights the excessive nature of a required payment.

onerous burden

Focuses on the burdensome nature of the cost, suggesting it is difficult to bear.

premium price

Indicates a higher-than-average price, often associated with quality or exclusivity.

substantial penalty

Emphasizes the punitive aspect of the cost, suggesting a consequence for an action.

excessive charge

Highlights the unfair or unreasonable nature of the cost.

FAQs

How can I use "steep cost" in a sentence?

You can use "steep cost" to describe something that requires significant resources or sacrifices. For example, "The project's success came at a "steep cost" in terms of employee burnout".

What are some alternatives to "steep cost"?

Alternatives to "steep cost" include phrases like "high price", "considerable expense", or "significant sacrifice", depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "the cost is steep" instead of "steep cost"?

Yes, both "the cost is steep" and "steep cost" are grammatically correct, but they have slightly different emphasis. "Steep cost" is a noun phrase that directly describes the cost, while "the cost is steep" is a sentence that states the cost's characteristic.

What's the difference between "steep cost" and "high cost"?

While both phrases indicate a significant expense, "steep cost" often implies that the cost is unexpectedly high or that it involves sacrifices beyond just monetary value. "High cost" is more general and simply indicates a large expense.