high priority

You usually use it with the verb to be. For example, "This project is a high priority." You can also use it as an adjective before a noun. You might talk about a high priority email or a high priority guest. It acts like a label to tell people to pay attention.

Use it at work when a deadline is close. Use it at home when the sink is leaking. It is perfect for when you need to justify why you are doing one thing instead of another. If your friend asks why you cannot hang out, tell them your exam is a high priority. They will understand you are busy with something serious.

Do not use it for every little thing. If everything is a high priority, then nothing is! It loses its power if you use it for buying milk and finishing a million-dollar deal. Also, avoid it in very romantic or deep emotional moments. Telling your partner they are a high priority sounds a bit like they are a task on your calendar. Use "you mean the world to me" instead!

In Western corporate culture, we are obsessed with efficiency. Phrases like high priority come from project management. It reflects a culture that values time and organization. It has moved from the office into our daily lives because we all feel busier than ever. It is a very "Type A" personality phrase.

You might hear people say top priority. That is even more urgent than high priority. On the other side, you have low priority. That is the stuff you do when you are bored or have extra time. Some people just say "it's a priority," which is a softer way to say it matters.