high places: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Formal, Journalistic, Literary
Quick answer
What does “high places” mean?
Positions of great authority, power, or influence within a hierarchy.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
Positions of great authority, power, or influence within a hierarchy.
The metaphorical or literal elevated status of individuals in a social, political, or organizational structure. Can also refer to physical locations of great elevation, especially in biblical or literary contexts.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or usage. Both varieties use it primarily in its metaphorical sense.
Connotations
Slightly formal and often carries a critical or cynical tone regarding the exercise of power.
Frequency
Low-to-medium frequency in both varieties, found more in political commentary, journalism, and literature than in everyday speech.
Grammar
How to Use “high places” in a Sentence
have [connections/friends] in ~appeal to the ~rise to the ~fall from the ~Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “high places” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- He was accused of courting high places to further his career.
American English
- She networked her way into the high places of the industry.
adjective
British English
- The high-places mentality often isolates leaders from public opinion.
- A high-places scandal rocked the government.
American English
- He was involved in a high-places cover-up.
- The lobbyist had a high-places contact list.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Refers to senior executives, board members, or key investors. 'The project was approved because she has friends in high places.'
Academic
Used in political science, sociology, or history to describe power structures. 'The study examined corruption networks in the high places of government.'
Everyday
Rare in casual conversation. Might be used to explain nepotism or privilege. 'He got the contract unfairly—must know someone in high places.'
Technical
Not typically used in STEM fields. Possible in theology for literal interpretation (e.g., 'worship on high places').
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “high places”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “high places”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “high places”
- Using it as a singular noun (e.g., 'a high place'). *'He reached a high place in the company' is unnatural. Use 'a high position'.
- Confusing it with the literal meaning in modern contexts. *'We hiked to a high place to see the view.' Use 'a high point' or 'a vantage point' instead.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Not always, but it often carries a neutral-to-negative connotation, hinting at inaccessible power, privilege, or potential corruption. It's rarely used in a purely celebratory way.
Almost never in the modern metaphorical sense. The standard fixed phrase is the plural 'high places'. The singular 'a high place' would almost always be interpreted literally (e.g., a geographical location).
The phrase has biblical origins, referring literally to altars or places of worship set up on hills (e.g., in the Books of Kings). The metaphorical sense developed from this idea of an elevated, important position.
It is formal or literary. In everyday informal speech, people are more likely to say 'someone high up', 'the big bosses', or 'people at the top'.
Positions of great authority, power, or influence within a hierarchy.
High places: in British English it is pronounced /haɪ ˈpleɪs.ɪz/, and in American English it is pronounced /haɪ ˈpleɪ.sɪz/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “friends in high places”
- “fall from high places”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a tall corporate skyscraper. The 'high places' are the penthouse offices at the very top, where the most powerful people work.
Conceptual Metaphor
SOCIAL/POLITICAL HIERARCHY IS A PHYSICAL HEIGHT (POWER IS UP, LACK OF POWER IS DOWN).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the phrase 'high places' LEAST likely to be used?