high-ticket
UK[ˌhaɪ ˈtɪkɪt]US[ˌhaɪ ˈtɪkɪt]
adj
Relating to or being an expensive item or service, typically one that is high in price and often considered a luxury or major purchase.
Morpheme Breakdown
high
ticket
high
of great vertical extent or amount
ticket
a label or indicator of price
Etymology
The compound adjective 'high-ticket' is a relatively modern American English formation from the mid-20th century, originating in commercial and retail contexts. It is built from the native English word 'high', with its established sense of 'great in amount or degree', and 'ticket', which evolved from French to denote a label or slip specifying price or terms. The term operates on a metaphorical logic, where the 'ticket' stands for the price tag, and 'high' modifies it to indicate a substantial cost. This transparent compounding directly links the literal concept of a lofty price label to the modern abstract meaning describing expensive, often luxury-grade goods or services.
Analysis
Structure: high (of great vertical extent or amount) + ticket (a label or indicator of price)
high: From Old English hēah, of Germanic origin; related to Dutch hoog and German hoch. Functions as an adjective modifying the nature of the 'ticket'.
ticket: From early 17th century (in the general sense 'a short written note'): from French étiquette, originally 'a label, a ticket'. Functions as a noun, here metaphorically representing the price or cost.
Examples
The store specializes in high-ticket items like designer jewelry and watches.
We need to improve our marketing strategy for our high-ticket consulting services.
Such a high-ticket purchase requires careful financial planning.