high concept

American  

noun

1. a simple and often striking idea or premise, as of a story or film, that lends itself to easy promotion and marketing.

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high concept British  

noun

1. 1. popular appeal

   2.  high-concept.  ( as modifier )

      Baz Luhrmann's high-concept Romeo and Juliet

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Etymology

Origin of high concept

First recorded in 1980–85

Example Sentences

It is a little frustrating to read a novel this unengaged with its own high concept.

From The Wall Street Journal

"We took a high concept problem -- that is, 'how do ear bones wiggle in a 250-million-year-old fossil?' -- and tested a simple hypothesis using these sophisticated tools. And it turns out in Thrinaxodon, the eardrum does just fine all by itself."

From Science Daily

Jade drew a huge crowd to the Woodsies stage, displaying her 17 years of pop experience with a slick, high concept set full of pop bangers; including a thrilling medley of songs from her old band, Little Mix.

From BBC

This is obviously a very high concept, but I think the subtext is that everyone’s got something.

From Los Angeles Times

Embracing the increasingly cinematic aesthetic of stand-up specials, his new hour, which he directed and is actually closer to 50 minutes, takes his act and wraps it around an intricate high concept.

From New York Times