high

be for the high jump be about to be severely punished. British informal

☞ This expression was first recorded in the early 20th century as a military term meaning 'be put on trial before your commanding officer'. The image behind it is that of an execution by hanging.

come hell or high water: seehell.

fly high: seefly.

friends in high places: seefriend.

from on high

1 from a very high place.

2 from remote high authority or heaven.

high and dry

1 (especially of ships left stranded by the sea as the tide ebbs) out of the water.

2 in a difficult position, especially without resources.

❷1996Frank McCourtAngela's Ashes I hear he left you high and dry, eh? I don't know how a man in his right mind can go off and leave a wife and family to starve and shiver in a Limerick winter.

high and low in many different places.

2010Francisca GoldsmithReaders' Advisory Guide to Graphic Novels An elegant vampire who has just broken off with a young woman looks high and low for a satisfying replacement partner.

high and mighty

1 important and influential.

2 thinking or acting as though you are more important than others; arrogant. informal

high as a kite: seekite.

high days and holidays special occasions. informal

☞ In the Church's calendar a high day was the day of an important festival. A holiday (originally holy day) was similar but less specific. Holiday now refers to any day off, without any sacred significance, and so holy day is used if a specifically religious occasion is intended.

2013Gloucestershire Echo One of the tasks delegated to me was … to purchase cakes on colleagues' birthdays and other high days and holidays.

high old (of a time or state) most enjoyable or remarkable. informal

1955Jean PottsDeath of a Stray Cat You probably had a high old time chasing blondes.

high on the hog: seehog.

high, wide, and handsome expansive and impressive; stylish and carefree in manner. informal

☞ This phrase originated in the USA, and Yankee Slang (1932) identifies 'Ride him, Cowboy, high, wide and handsome' as a shout commonly heard at rodeos.

2012Scotsman It must be chastening for Japanese industry. It rode high, wide and handsome until the country's property/stock market bubble burst in 1990.

high words angry words. archaic

hit the high spots visit places of entertainment. informal

in high dudgeon: seedudgeon.

in high feather: see in fine feather atfeather.

it is high time that it is past the time when (something should have happened or been done).

on a high in a state of euphoria. informal

☞ This expression was originally mid-20th-century US slang, referring specifically to the euphoria induced by drugs.

on your high horse used to refer to someone behaving in an arrogant or pompous manner. informal

ride high: seeride.

run high be strong or tumultuous.

☞ The image here is of waves or tides rising above their normal height, especially in stormy conditions.

2008Simon ArmitageGig Amongst the women … feelings are running high, especially after supper when they are packed off to bed while the gentlemen kick back with brandy and cigars.

stink to high heaven: seeheaven.