on high
Idioms-
Up in the sky; also, in heaven. For example, They fixed their eyes on high, looking for the comet , or, in the Bible (Psalms 63:5), “The Lord our God who dwelleth on high.” [c. 1200]
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In a position of authority, as in Those on high have decreed that we work every other weekend . This usage is an ironic transfer from def. 1. Also see powers that be .
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
"At the same time, a more hawkish Federal Reserve has weighed on high growth stocks."
From Barron's • Jul. 1, 2026
The latest slide has put foreign-exchange traders on high alert for a fresh round of yen buying by the Japanese authorities to shore up the currency.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 30, 2026
Traders are also on high alert for currency intervention in the Japanese yen, which was hovering near a 40-year low.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 30, 2026
"I was on high doses of vitamin C, vitamin D, turmeric, a special de-bloat supplement and I would regularly drink water with electrolytes in," Ginger explains.
From BBC • Jun. 20, 2026
On reaching the center of the plaza, Atahuallpa remained in his litter on high, while his troops continued to file in behind him.
From "Guns, Germs, and Steel: The Fates of Human Societies" by Jared M. Diamond
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
