highball: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2Informal (drink), Formal/Technical (railroad), Business (verb).
Quick answer
What does “highball” mean?
A type of alcoholic drink served in a tall glass, typically consisting of a spirit mixed with a larger proportion of a non-alcoholic mixer (like ginger ale or soda water) and ice.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A type of alcoholic drink served in a tall glass, typically consisting of a spirit mixed with a larger proportion of a non-alcoholic mixer (like ginger ale or soda water) and ice.
A railway signal indicating clear track ahead; also a verb meaning to travel or proceed swiftly (originating from railroad usage). In business contexts, used as a verb meaning to accelerate a process or push something through quickly.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
As a drink term, more common in US bars. The railroad signal meaning is technical and not everyday. The business verb 'to highball' is more frequent in American corporate jargon.
Connotations
In the UK, the drink is understood but 'long drink' or specific names (e.g., 'whisky and ginger') are more common. The verb usage is very rare in UK English.
Frequency
The noun 'highball' is low-frequency in the UK. It is medium-low in the US, mainly in bar/restaurant contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “highball” in a Sentence
VERB + highball: order, drink, sip, mixADJ + highball: classic, tall, refreshing, simplehighball + VERB: [drink] contains, consists of, is served inVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “highball” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The freight train highballed through the junction after receiving the signal.
American English
- We need to highball this proposal to the client before the end of the quarter.
adverb
British English
- This usage is not standard for the adverb form.
American English
- This usage is not standard for the adverb form.
adjective
British English
- He preferred a highball service for his gin and tonic.
American English
- She ordered a drink in a highball glass.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
The manager decided to highball the project launch, skipping several approval stages.
Academic
The term 'highball' originated in 19th-century American railroad signaling.
Everyday
On a hot day, I like to relax with a refreshing whisky highball.
Technical
The dispatcher received a highball, allowing the express train to proceed at full speed.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “highball”
Strong
Neutral
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “highball”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “highball”
- Spelling as two words: 'high ball'.
- Using it to refer to any cocktail, not specifically a spirit + mixer in a tall glass.
- Overusing the verb form in general contexts.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, it fits the classic definition: a spirit (gin) served with a larger portion of a non-alcoholic mixer (tonic water) over ice in a tall glass.
The most accepted etymology is from American railroads in the 1800s. A 'high ball' signal (a ball raised high on a pole) meant 'proceed at full speed'. The drink name likely came later, perhaps from the tall glass or the idea of 'drinking quickly'.
Its use as a verb is quite specialised. In everyday talk, it might sound odd or jargonistic. It's more common in specific industries like rail transport or as corporate slang in the US.
A highball is a specific, simple type of cocktail. All highballs are cocktails, but not all cocktails are highballs. A highball is defined by its structure: spirit + mixer (+ice) in a tall glass. A cocktail like a Martini or Margarita is more complex and not served in the same way.
A type of alcoholic drink served in a tall glass, typically consisting of a spirit mixed with a larger proportion of a non-alcoholic mixer (like ginger ale or soda water) and ice.
Highball is usually informal (drink), formal/technical (railroad), business (verb). in register.
Highball: in British English it is pronounced /ˈhʌɪbɔːl/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈhaɪˌbɑl/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “highball it (to move or travel at high speed)”
- “give the highball (signal)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a drink served in a very TALL (HIGH) glass shaped like a BALL. A HIGH BALL glass for a highball drink.
Conceptual Metaphor
CLEAR PATH IS FAST MOVEMENT (from railroad signal to business verb).
Practice
Quiz
In a business context, what does it mean 'to highball a project'?