steep fine

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "steep fine" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it when referring to a large or hefty penalty or fee for breaking a rule or law. For example, "The company was fined a steep fine of $50,000 for violating local air pollution regulations."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

24 human-written examples

The computer users are told that the only way to get their machines back is to pay a steep fine.

The New York Times - Tech

And as Mr. Blackmon explains in describing incident after incident, an arrest could mean a steep fine.

The New York Times - Books

In France, she said, you can face a steep fine and jail term for buying counterfeit goods, while in Italy, she said, you can be fined.

The New York Times

His government also angered Jordanians with a new law that made it a crime, punishable by a steep fine, to falsely accuse someone of corruption.

The New York Times

Outside the court, Ms. Nigro, who lives in Croton-on-Hudson Croton-on-Hudson Croton-on-Hudsonns in Montauk, called the steep fine absurd.

The New York Times

Now, depending on the state, you may have your car impounded and/or face a steep fine – again, exposing you to a possible court summons.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

31 human-written examples

Some cities hand out steep fines.

The New York Times

The group lost and faced steep fines.

The New York Times

The lawsuit threatens to impose steep fines on the bank.

The New York Times

If it settles with authorities, the bank must accept steep fines or concede embarrassing admissions.

The New York Times

Named members who violate the injunction face steep fines or jail time.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about legal or financial consequences, use "steep fine" to convey the severity and impact of the penalty. It's more impactful than simply saying "high fine".

Common error

Avoid using "steep fine" when you actually mean a sharply inclined surface. Remember that "steep" modifies "fine" to describe the amount, not a physical incline.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "steep fine" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "steep" modifies the noun "fine", indicating a high or significant amount of money that must be paid as a penalty. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Wiki

12%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Science

0%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "steep fine" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to describe a significant financial penalty. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a correct and effective way to communicate the severity of a fine. Predominantly found in news and media contexts, as well as in wikis, it effectively conveys the substantial nature of the imposed cost. While "high fine" is a valid alternative, "steep fine" adds a nuance of unexpectedness or excessiveness. When using this phrase, remember to focus on the financial impact and avoid confusion with unrelated concepts like physical slopes.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

hefty penalty

Replaces "fine" with "penalty", emphasizing the punitive nature of the cost.

substantial penalty

Uses "substantial" to highlight the significant amount of the penalty.

exorbitant fee

Emphasizes that the cost is unreasonably high by using "exorbitant" instead of "steep" and replacing "fine" with "fee".

significant levy

Replaces "fine" with "levy", indicating an imposed charge or tax, and "steep" with "significant".

large forfeiture

Uses "forfeiture" to suggest the loss of something as a penalty, making it applicable in specific legal contexts.

considerable payment

Replaces the word "fine" with "payment" specifying an important amount.

onerous charge

Suggests the burden or oppressiveness of the fee, making it an "onerous charge".

punitive sanction

Highlights the penal nature using "punitive sanction", suitable in legal or regulatory contexts.

heavy assessment

Replaces "fine" with assessment to focus on the evaluation and imposition of the charge

sizable imposition

Replaces "fine" with imposition to stress the sense of something being forcibly placed upon someone.

FAQs

What does "steep fine" mean?

A "steep fine" refers to a penalty payment that is notably high or significant in amount, often implying it is unexpectedly or excessively costly.

What can I say instead of "steep fine"?

You can use alternatives like "hefty penalty", "substantial penalty", or "exorbitant fee" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "high fine" instead of "steep fine"?

Yes, "high fine" is a correct and commonly used alternative to "steep fine". Both phrases convey that the fine is a significant amount of money. However, "steep fine" might imply a sense of unexpectedness or excessiveness more strongly than "high fine".

In what situations is it appropriate to use the term "steep fine"?

The term "steep fine" is appropriate in situations where you want to emphasize that a financial penalty is considerable or unexpectedly large, such as legal penalties, contract breaches, or regulatory violations.