Use steep cost to describe an unexpectedly or excessively high monetary price. Common patterns: 'the steep cost of X', 'at a steep cost', 'a steep cost to bear'. The adjective steep signals that the cost is not just high but notably, even shockingly, elevated.
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| The ticket has a steep cost of $10. | The ticket costs $10. (Too low a sum to be 'steep' — the word implies excessiveness.) |
| A steep cost was paid for the groceries. | The groceries came at a steep cost. (Sounds overstated for a routine purchase.) |
In the figurative sense, steep cost describes non-monetary consequences: 'success came at a steep cost', 'victory was won at a steep cost in lives'. The phrase emphasizes that the price paid — in suffering, sacrifice, or opportunity — was severe. Often follows 'at a' or 'paid a'.
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| He won at a steep cost of $500. | He won at a steep cost to his reputation. (Use the figurative sense only for non-monetary losses.) |
Use steep cost when emphasizing that a price, expense, or sacrifice is notably excessive — not just large. In financial contexts it implies the price is hard to justify; in figurative contexts it suggests the personal or social toll was severe. Common constructions: 'at a steep cost', 'the steep cost of X', 'pay a steep cost'.
Reserve steep cost for situations where the cost is genuinely excessive or surprising. Using it for anything merely expensive dilutes its force. In formal or academic writing, prefer 'prohibitive cost', 'significant sacrifice', or 'high toll'.
From steep (adjective) + cost (noun). The adjective steep in the sense of 'excessively high in price' is attested from around 1856 in American English slang, derived from the older literal meaning of 'rising sharply, precipitous' (Old English stēap, meaning high, lofty). The metaphor images a price that climbs steeply upward, beyond a reasonable level. Cost comes from Old French coust, from Latin constāre ('to stand at a price, to cost').
What does 'steep cost' mean?
Steep cost has two main senses. Financially, it means a price or expense that is significantly higher than expected or reasonable — too expensive for many. Figuratively, it means a heavy sacrifice or serious consequence — for example: 'victory came at a steep cost in lives'.
What is the difference between 'steep cost' and 'high cost'?
'High cost' is neutral and simply means a large monetary amount. 'Steep cost' implies the cost is excessive, surprising, or disproportionate — it carries a sense of 'more than it should be'. You'd use 'steep cost' when you want to stress that the price is shockingly or unreasonably elevated.
What are synonyms for steep cost?
Financial synonyms: high price, exorbitant price, prohibitive cost, hefty price tag, premium. Figurative synonyms: heavy price, great sacrifice, high toll, bitter cost, serious consequence.
Can 'steep cost' be used figuratively?
Yes, frequently. In figurative use, 'steep cost' describes non-monetary sacrifices or negative consequences: 'the steep cost of war', 'success came at a steep cost to his health', 'they achieved it but at a steep cost to their relationships'. The word steep signals that the toll was severe.
Is 'steep cost' formal or informal?
Steep cost is stylistically neutral and works in both casual and formal writing. In very formal or technical writing you might prefer 'prohibitive cost' (financial) or 'significant sacrifice' / 'heavy toll' (figurative), but 'steep cost' itself is not considered informal.