highway robbery: Idiom Meaning and Origin
What does ‘highway robbery’ mean?
The idiom "highway robbery" refers to a situation where someone is charged an exorbitant or unfair price for something, similar to being robbed while traveling on a highway.
Idiom Explorer
The idiom "king's ransom" means an extremely large or exorbitant amount of money or valuable things.
The idiom "high-stakes" refers to a situation in which there is a significant potential gain or loss, usually involving a lot of money or important consequences.
The idiom "high on the hog" means to live in a luxurious or extravagant manner, enjoying the best of everything. It originates from the idea that the choice cuts of meat, which are considered the best, come from the upper part of the pig.
The idiom "guilt trip" refers to a situation where someone intentionally manipulates another person into feeling guilty or remorseful in order to control their actions or behaviors.
The idiom "going rate" refers to the prevailing or current price or rate for a particular product, service, or activity. It suggests that there is a standard or accepted value that is commonly understood or expected in a given situation.
The idiom "get away with murder" means to escape punishment or consequences for one's actions, often referring to getting away with something serious or outrageous.
The idiom "get away with" means to do something wrong or illegal without being caught or punished.
The idiom "full whack" means to pay or charge the complete or maximum amount for something, often implying it is expensive or a high price to pay.
Full whack is an idiom that originated in British English, though its usage can also be found in American English and other variants of English. The idiom is typically used in informal contexts and is often associated with financial or monetary matters.
The idiom "fucked over" is a vulgar way to describe someone being deceived, betrayed, or treated unfairly by others, usually resulting in negative consequences or harm. It implies a sense of being taken advantage of and often carries strong emotions of anger, frustration, or disappointment.
The idiom "free ride" means to benefit or take advantage of something without having to pay or put in any effort. It conveys the idea of receiving privileges or advantages without having to bear the accompanying responsibilities or costs.
Priceless Secrets Unveiled
The idiom "highway robbery" has a clear literal meaning and a figurative one that emerged in the early 19th century. Literally, it refers to the act of robbing someone on a highway or road. In this sense, it involves an individual or a group of individuals stopping a traveler and forcibly taking their belongings, usually with the threat or use of violence.
Figuratively, "highway robbery" began to be used to describe any situation or transaction in which the price or cost is exorbitantly high, and the person paying is not given any options or alternatives. It implies that the price demanded is unfair and unreasonable, akin to being robbed outright. This idiom is often used to criticize or express indignation towards someone or an entity that seems to be taking advantage of others by charging excessively or unfairly.
Although the idiom is widely used, it is important to note that it is more common in informal and colloquial contexts. However, it can still be found in various forms of media, literature, and everyday speech.
Interestingly, the idiom has been included in dictionaries and phrasebooks, further solidifying its presence in the English language. The phrase is recognized and understood by many English speakers, particularly those in the United States.
While the phrase "daylight robbery" may seem unrelated, it is actually a variation of the idiom "highway robbery" and carries a similar meaning. When someone refers to a situation as "daylight robbery," they are expressing their belief that they are being charged an unfair and unjustifiably high price for something. It implies that the transaction is so obviously unfair that it feels as though someone is robbing them in broad daylight. The idiom "daylight robbery" can be seen as a more vivid and exaggerated version of "highway robbery."
Similarly, the phrase "free ride" can be connected to the idiom "highway robbery." If someone is said to be getting a "free ride," it means that they are benefiting or profiting from a situation without having to put in any effort or pay any cost. This can be seen as the opposite of "highway robbery" in the sense that instead of being charged an exorbitant and unfair price, someone is getting something for free, without any payment or expense. Both of these idioms highlight instances where the fairness of a situation is called into question.
This history and continued usage of "highway robbery" leave us with the understanding that even though the literal act may have faded, the idiom continues to carry the weight of its oppressive roots.
Example usage
Here are three examples of how the idiom "highway robbery" can be used in a sentence:
1. The price they charged for that tiny cup of coffee was highway robbery!
2. I can't believe they're charging $20 for a simple hot dog at the stadium, it's like highway robbery!
3. The taxi driver insisted on taking the longest route possible to the airport, it felt like we were being subjected to highway robbery.
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