high priority
Top importance
Use this to signal that a task is urgent and must be finished before anything else.
En 15 secondes
- Something that needs immediate attention and action.
- Used to rank tasks or people by importance.
- Common in offices, schools, and busy personal lives.
Signification
This phrase describes something that needs your attention right now because it is more important than everything else on your list.
Exemples clés
3 sur 6In a team meeting
Fixing the website bug is a high priority for the tech team today.
Fixing the website bug is a high priority for the tech team today.
Texting a friend about plans
I'd love to go, but finishing this essay is a high priority right now.
I'd love to go, but finishing this essay is a high priority right now.
A doctor talking to staff
This patient is a high priority; please get their results immediately.
This patient is a high priority; please get their results immediately.
Contexte culturel
The phrase gained massive popularity during the rise of corporate management culture in the 1980s. It reflects a Western focus on 'triage'—sorting tasks by importance to maximize productivity. In modern digital culture, many email apps even have a 'High Priority' flag or red exclamation mark icon.
The 'Top' Trick
If something is even more important than 'high', use `top priority`. It sounds like there is absolutely nothing more important in the world.
Don't Overuse It
If you tell your boss every task is a `high priority`, they will think you can't manage your time. Use it only for the big stuff!
En 15 secondes
- Something that needs immediate attention and action.
- Used to rank tasks or people by importance.
- Common in offices, schools, and busy personal lives.
What It Means
Think of your to-do list. The item at the very top is your high priority. It is the thing that cannot wait. If you do not do it, something might go wrong. It is about urgency and importance combined.
How To Use It
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.
When To Use It
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.
When NOT To Use It
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!
Cultural Background
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.
Common Variations
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.
Notes d'usage
This phrase is very safe to use in almost any setting. Just remember that it sounds a bit 'task-oriented', so use it for goals, chores, and work rather than deep feelings.
The 'Top' Trick
If something is even more important than 'high', use `top priority`. It sounds like there is absolutely nothing more important in the world.
Don't Overuse It
If you tell your boss every task is a `high priority`, they will think you can't manage your time. Use it only for the big stuff!
The Corporate 'P' Word
In US offices, people often 'prioritize' (verb). If someone asks you to 'prioritize' a task, they are telling you to make it a `high priority`.
Exemples
6Fixing the website bug is a high priority for the tech team today.
Fixing the website bug is a high priority for the tech team today.
Sets a clear goal for the workday.
I'd love to go, but finishing this essay is a high priority right now.
I'd love to go, but finishing this essay is a high priority right now.
A polite way to decline an invitation by showing you are busy.
This patient is a high priority; please get their results immediately.
This patient is a high priority; please get their results immediately.
Used in medical contexts to show urgency.
Finding the TV remote is my only high priority this evening.
Finding the TV remote is my only high priority this evening.
Using a serious phrase for a silly situation.
Your safety is always our highest priority.
Your safety is always our highest priority.
Expresses deep care and protection.
We will make your request a high priority.
We will make your request a high priority.
A standard way to reassure a customer.
Teste-toi
Choose the best word to complete the sentence.
The boss said this client is a ___ priority, so answer their call immediately.
In English, we always use the adjective `high` with `priority` to show importance.
Which verb is most commonly used with this phrase?
We need to ___ this task a high priority.
You `make` something a priority when you decide it is important.
🎉 Score : /2
Aides visuelles
Formality of 'High Priority'
Used with friends to explain why you are busy.
My nap is a high priority.
Standard use in daily life or school.
This homework is a high priority.
Used in business reports or medical settings.
The safety audit is a high priority.
Where to use 'High Priority'
At the Office
This email needs an answer now.
At the Hospital
An emergency patient needs a bed.
At Home
Fixing a broken heater in winter.
In Education
Studying for the final exam.
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsIt is neutral to formal. You can use it in a business report like this is a high priority project, but also with a friend like my sleep is a high priority.
It is better to avoid 'big priority'. While people will understand you, the standard English collocation is always high priority.
The opposite is low priority. This refers to tasks that are not urgent and can be done later, like cleaning the garage is a low priority.
Yes, but be careful. Saying you are a high priority can sound a bit cold or business-like. It's better to say you are my first priority in personal relationships.
You can say Something is a high priority or Make something a high priority. For example: We must make safety a high priority.
Yes. A priority is just something important. A high priority is something that is more important than other important things.
It means the number one thing on the list. If high priority is an A, top priority is an A+.
Sure! If you love gaming, you can say reaching level 50 is a high priority for me this weekend.
Yes, it is very common. Writing High Priority: Meeting Change tells the reader to open the email immediately.
Usually, yes. It implies that because it is important, it needs to be done quickly. However, some things are important but not urgent, though we rarely call those high priority.
Expressions liées
Top of the list
The most important thing to do first.
First things first
An expression used to say we should do the most important task now.
Urgent matter
Something that requires immediate action.
Matter of life and death
An idiom for something extremely serious and important.
Commentaires (0)
Connectez-vous pour CommenterCommencez à apprendre les langues gratuitement
Commence Gratuitement