- Home
- Idioms
- premium
premium
at a premium
1. For an expensive price (typically because the item in question is hard to find). If you don't go Christmas shopping early, you'll only get the most popular toys at a premium later.
2. Difficult to obtain. Quiet moments are at a premium when there's a toddler in the house.
at a premium
at a high price; priced high because of something special. Sally bought the shoes at a premium because they were of very high quality. This new sports car sells at a premium because so many people want to buy it.
place something at a premium
to force up the value of something so that its price is higher. The rapid changes in the market placed all the medical stocks at a premium. The goods had been placed at a premium by the changing market conditions.
put a premium on something
to make something harder or more expensive to obtain or do. The recent action of the bank directors put a premium on new home loans. The scarcity of steel put a premium on the cost of new cars.
put something at a premium
to make something available only at an extra cost or through extra effort. The scarcity of fresh vegetables at this time of year puts broccoli at a premium. The high demand for apples puts them at a premium.
at a premium
1. not easy to get
During the negotiations, sleep was at a premium. Usage notes: usually said about something that is highly valued because it is hard to get
2. for a higher price It's possible to get a large apartment, but only at a premium.
put a premium on something
also place a premium on something to consider something important or valuable Busy shoppers put a premium on finding everything they need in one big store.
at a premium
At a higher price than usual owing to scarcity; also, considered more valuable, held in high esteem. For example,
Since that article came out, the firm's stock has been selling at a premium and
Space is at a premium in most stores. This idiom uses
premium in the sense of "bounty" or "bonus." [Mid-1800s] Also see
put a premium on.
put a premium on
Value more highly than usual, as in Her employer put a premium on honesty and hard work. First recorded in 1907, this term is almost always used figuratively.
at a premium
More valuable than usual, as from scarcity: Fresh water was at a premium after the reservoir was contaminated.