high words—words spoken in a raised or loud voice (usually uttered in a heated argument): A short altercation ended speedily in high words on both sides. high-sounding words—pretentious, bombastic words: Sophomorical, a term applied to speeches and writings containing high-sounding words and but little sense. See also: high language / high-flown language.
Category: Confusing Phrases
Difference between High water and Highwaters
high water— 1. the tide when the surface of the water is at its greatest elevation: The height from low water to high water is called the range of the tide. 2. a flooded river or lake: She wanted a new house after a high water on the river carried her old one away. highwaters—(sl.) […]
Difference between High up the stick and Up the stick
high up the stick —(dated sl.) standing high in one’s profession: All my acquaintance among the doctors are so high up the stick, they have no time to spare… up the stick—(UK sl.) pregnant: Mary is up the stick; funny how everyone counts the months. Note: The expression does not correlate in meaning with the […]
Difference between High time and Low time
high time— 1. (also: full time) time when smth. should be done at once: Tom was beginning to feel that it was high time for him to be getting to regular work again. 2. (in the phrase “have a high time”) have enjoyable, noisy and joyful time: The Johns had a high time, drinking brandy […]
Difference between High tea and Low tea
high tea—(UK) an early evening tea with a full meal (as a substitute for dinner): He thought of the high tea to which he sat down … a slice of cold meat, a great deal of bread and butter and plenty of milk in his tea. low tea—tea with just bread and butter, cookies, or […]
Difference between High spirit and High spirits
high spirit— 1. mentality characterized by lofty and noble ideas: Her ability to forgive, her high spirit, her faith are the things that inspire me. 2. said of a bold and audacious person: She hoped she had tamed a high spirit or two in her day. high spirits—vivacity; cheerfulness: She hadn’t the high spirits which […]
Difference between High sea and High seas
high sea— 1. a rough sea marked by high waves: The ship has an advanced hullform that provides for outstanding stability and speed in high sea states. 2. the area of sea (away from the coast) that is not under the sovereignty of any state: Controversy arose out of demands on the part of different […]
Difference between High school (UK) and High school (U.S.)
high school (UK)—a secondary school for pupils aged between eleven and eighteen: We are based at Brae High, in Shetland—the most northerly six-year high school in Britain. high school (U.S.)—a secondary school for pupils aged between fifteen and eighteen: The teen-agers arrive with a petition that has been going around high schools across the province since […]
Difference between High season and High summer
high season—the most popular period at hotels, resorts, etc. (not necessarily in summer) when rates are highest: High season in the Caribbean (when most people visit) is from December to April. high summer—period when summer is at or near its peak: December is high summer in Chile and high time for touring the country’s famous […]
Difference between High on something and Low on something
high on something—(sl.) 1. under the influence of a drug or alcohol: It is far safer to drive a car when high on marihuana than when drunk. 2. keen on smth.; enthusiastic about smth.: “I am not high on the Thieu brand of Government,” he said, noting that 40,000 people had been executed by it. […]
Difference between High man on the totem pole and High-up man
high man on the totem pole—(U.S. coll.) smb. who has the most important position in an organization: I don’t want to talk to a secretary. I demand to talk to the high man on the totem pole. high-up man —(coll.) a person of high place or rank: A “high-up” man in the International Skating Union […]
Difference between High language and High-flown language
high language— 1. pompous and pretentious language: Many talked in high language about sacrificing their lives and fortunes for their country. 2. the language regarded as superior when two (related) languages are spoken: The Zulu, as the high language, has ever exercised a controlling influence upon the low languages. high-flown language — = high language […]