high brass: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1technical / informal (for the idiomatic sense)
Quick answer
What does “high brass” mean?
An alloy of copper and zinc (brass) with a high proportion of zinc, typically above 30–40%, making it harder, stronger, and more brittle than low brass.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
An alloy of copper and zinc (brass) with a high proportion of zinc, typically above 30–40%, making it harder, stronger, and more brittle than low brass.
1. A class of brass alloys, especially cartridge brass or yellow brass, used in ammunition casings and components requiring high strength and corrosion resistance. 2. In an idiomatic or organizational context (informal), it can refer to senior executives or top military officials (a blend of 'high-ups' and 'brass').
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in the metallurgical sense. The informal 'top people' sense might be slightly more recognised in American English due to the established term 'top brass'.
Connotations
Technical, precise, material-specific. If used for people, it connotes a high, rigid, perhaps polished hierarchy.
Frequency
Very low frequency overall. Used almost exclusively in technical texts (engineering, manufacturing, ammunition) or in creative/pun-based wordplay.
Grammar
How to Use “high brass” in a Sentence
[be] made of high brasshigh brass [alloy/cartridge/casing]fabricated from high brassVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “high brass” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The components were then high-brass plated for durability. (rare/technical)
American English
- They decided to high-brass the fittings for extra strength. (rare/technical)
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Might appear in procurement or manufacturing reports: 'Sourcing high brass for cartridge production.'
Academic
Found in materials science, engineering, and metallurgy papers.
Everyday
Virtually never used.
Technical
Primary domain. Specifies material properties and applications.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “high brass”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “high brass”
- Using 'high brass' to mean simply 'expensive brass'. Confusing it with 'top brass'. Thinking it refers to the pitch of a brass instrument's sound.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. 'High brass' is a technical metallurgical term. 'Top brass' is an informal idiom for senior executives or military officers. They are unrelated in standard usage.
Almost never, unless you are specifically discussing metals, manufacturing, or ammunition. It is a specialised technical term.
Its most well-known application is in cartridge cases for firearms (cartridge brass), as well as in springs, screws, and corrosion-resistant mechanical parts.
High brass has a higher percentage of zinc (usually above 30-35%), making it harder, stronger, and less ductile. Low brass has a lower zinc content (closer to 20%), making it softer, more malleable, and warmer in colour.
An alloy of copper and zinc (brass) with a high proportion of zinc, typically above 30–40%, making it harder, stronger, and more brittle than low brass.
High brass is usually technical / informal (for the idiomatic sense) in register.
High brass: in British English it is pronounced /haɪ brɑːs/, and in American English it is pronounced /haɪ bræs/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[Rare/Non-standard] The high brass made the final decision. (Based on 'top brass')”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think HIGH zinc content makes brass HIGH in strength, used for HIGH-pressure cartridge casings.
Conceptual Metaphor
HIERARCHY IS HARDNESS ('high brass' for top people metaphorically extends from 'top brass', implying a tough, shiny, rigid leadership).
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary characteristic defining 'high brass'?