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.
It puts them on high alert for danger, but leaves their nose, temporarily, colder.
From BBC ● Nov. 14, 2026
Like many American tourists in Asia, Kendall Stempel and Chloe Starr were on high alert for a hustle.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 5, 2026
That would be bad news for Asia’s AI infrastructure players, which have already suffered rounds of selloff recently amid heightened scrutiny on high valuations and the risk that returns won’t match investment hopes.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 4, 2026
France is on high alert ahead of a new day of nationwide protests on Saturday, a week after the country saw some of its worst unrest in decades.
From BBC ● Oct. 24, 2026
I’m on high alert, trying to arrange the pieces of this puzzle together, but I can’t get them to fit.
From "Red Flags and Butterflies" by Sheryl Azzam
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Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
