1 a high rise

a. a modern building with many floors

b. a dark cloud that holds rain

2 the high point

a. the middle section of a very tall tree

b. the best part of an experience

3 high spirits

a. a cheerful mood

b. an extremely strong alcoholic drink

4 high tea

a. a special drink that is taken to settle your stomach

b. a light meal eaten in the late afternoon

5 high society

a. rich, powerful and trendy people

b. members of a country's government

High class

What do these adjectives mean?

1 high-handed

a. using your power more strongly than is needed to show your authority

b. being very generous to someone who does not deserve it

2 high-profile

a. having a powerful personality

b. always being in the public eye

3 high-flying

a. floating in outer space

b. extremely successful and ambitious

4 high-maintenance

a. needing a great deal of attention and looking after

b. spending much money on trivial things

High as a kite

What do these phrases mean?

1 to be in for the high jump

a. to be on the point of getting into big trouble

b. to come third in an athletics event

2 to be as high as a kite

a. to behave in a very excited way

b. to be delayed at the airport because your flight is cancelled

3 to be knee-high to a grasshopper

a. to be very small or young

b. to be interested in the study of insects

4 Get off your high horse!

a. Show more patience, please!

b. Stop acting and talking as though you were better and superior!

Complete the sentences

Choose the correct noun so these sentences make sense

1 We live in that new (high spirits / high rise) opposite the station.

2 Being presented to the Prime Minister was the (high rise / high point) of my career in local government.

3 He thinks he's a member of the city's (high tea / high society) but he's just a rich businessman and nothing more.

4 I'm going to treat you to (high spirits / high tea) at the Savoy Hotel in London during our holiday in the UK.

5 Dad's very happy today. I've not seen him in such (high society / high spirits) for ages.

Dialogue

Complete these dialogues, and then practise them with a partner.

1 What do you think is going to happen?

Oh, there's no doubt, you're in (for the high jump / on your high horse) when the boss finds out what you have been doing.

2 He knows something we don't know.

Yes. He's been (on his high horse / as high as a kite) since he got that phone call.

3 I think you should have known better than to do that.

Oh, (get off your high horse / you are in for the high jump)! You would have done the same thing if you'd been given the chance.

4 Do you know Mr Chan well?

I've known him since I was (as high as a kite / knee-high to a grasshopper).

Answers:

High tea

1. a, 2. b, 3. a, 4. b, 5. a

High class

1. a, 2. b, 3. b, 4. a

High as a kite

1. a, 2. a, 3. a, 4. b

Complete the sentences

1. high rise, 2. high point, 3. high society, 4. high tea, 5. high spirits

Dialogue

1. for the high jump, 2. as high as a kite, 3. get off your high horse, 4. knee-high to a grasshopper