well up there

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "well up there" is not standard in written English and may cause confusion.
It could be used informally to refer to a high position or status, but clarity is important. Example: "The view from the mountain peak is well up there among the best I've ever seen."

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

23 human-written examples

They're well up there.

The New Yorker

Greenland, the world's largest island, has always floated in the northern mists of American consciousness as, well, up there.

The New York Times - Travel

Even in a Congress where the average age of a legislator is about 60 closer to 58 in the House of Representatives and almost 62 in the Senate, this being one of the oldest congresses ever the 76-year-old senator from Vermont is, well, up there.

Vice

Cubans don't do very well up there".

The New York Times

I have asthma, and I don't sleep well up there".

The New Yorker

"I don't think it's going well up there at all".

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

36 human-written examples

The funny thing is, if you did a poll about the best-behaved parliamentarians, Lucas might well be up there.

The Guardian

Well, he's up there.

The Guardian - Sport

Chris: "Well, they stood up there anyway".

The Guardian - Music

"Obviously, with a wet track, you want to break well and be right up there.

The New York Times - Sports

"You start seeing the ball well and you go up there and have that confidence," he said.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "well up there", ensure the context is clear and the level of informality is appropriate for your audience. Consider if a more formal alternative would be more suitable.

Common error

Avoid using "well up there" in academic papers or professional reports. While it can add a touch of colloquialism, it might undermine the credibility of your writing. Instead, opt for more formal alternatives like "highly ranked" or "among the best".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "well up there" primarily functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or adjective to indicate a high degree or position. Ludwig examples show it used to describe rank, quality, or status.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

97%

Wiki

1%

Science

1%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "well up there" is a common, generally acceptable adverbial phrase used to indicate a high degree, rank, or position. While Ludwig AI suggests a degree of informality, it appears frequently in news and media sources, conveying a sense of something being significantly above average. When writing, consider the level of formality required and whether a more precise term like "highly ranked" or "among the best" might be more suitable for formal contexts. The numerous examples provided by Ludwig highlight the contexts in which this phrase is most naturally employed.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

among the best

Highlights inclusion in a group of superior quality.

highly ranked

Directly states a high placement in a graded order.

high in the ranks

Emphasizes placement within a hierarchy or ranking system.

among the elite

Highlights inclusion in a select group of highly skilled or successful individuals.

at the top of the list

Focuses on being among the highest-rated or most important items.

in the upper echelons

Refers to being in the highest levels of an organization or system.

in a leading position

Indicates being ahead or in control within a specific context.

near the summit

Suggests being close to the highest point or achievement.

at an advanced stage

Implies a high degree of progress or development.

prominent

Indicates importance and a high degree of visibility.

FAQs

What does "well up there" mean?

The phrase "well up there" generally means something or someone is in a high position, rank, or of high quality. It's often used informally to indicate that something is among the best or highest in a particular category.

How can I use "well up there" in a sentence?

You can use "well up there" to describe something's status. For example, "That movie is "among the best" I've ever seen" or "She's "highly ranked" in her class".

What are some alternatives to saying "well up there"?

Some alternatives to "well up there" include phrases like "among the best", "highly ranked", or "in a leading position". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is "well up there" appropriate for formal writing?

While "well up there" is understandable, it is generally considered informal. For formal writing, it's better to use more precise and professional alternatives, such as "highly ranked" or "among the elite".