be a bit steep

1. To be more expensive than was expected or is reasonable. Thirty bucks for two movie tickets and popcorn? That's a bit steep, don't you think? We have to pay $20 just to get in? That's a bit steep—they should be paying us to come to their lame club! I know $6 a cookie is a bit steep, but it's for a good cause.

2. To be unfair, untrue, or unreasonable. I just think it's a bit steep for her to call me lazy, when she knows I've got a medical condition keeping me from working. I am sorry I'm late—but you're late all the time! It's a bit steep for you to be this angry with me. Come on, don't you think that's a bit steep? You know I didn't break the picture frame on purpose.

be rather steep

1. To be more expensive than was expected or is reasonable. Thirty bucks for two movie tickets and popcorn? That's rather steep, don't you think? We have to pay $20 just to get in? That's rather steep—they should be paying us to come to their lame club! I know $6 a cookie is rather steep, but it's for a good cause.

2. To be unfair, untrue, or unreasonable. I just think it's rather steep for her to call me lazy, when she knows I've got a medical condition keeping me from working! I am sorry I'm late—but you're late all the time! It's rather steep for you to be this angry with me. Come on, don't you think that's rather steep? You know I didn't break the picture frame on purpose.

had rather (do something)

Would prefer to do something; would be more inclined or willing to do something. A less common variant of "would rather (do something)." I had rather not talk to you right now. I had rather go see a movie, to be honest, but we can go dancing if you like. I'd rather walk on hot coals than talk to that jerk ever again!

See also: rather

have (one's) rathers

To have one's choice or preference; to have things the way one would like them to be; to have one's way. Usually formulated as "if I had my rathers." Similar to the more common phrase "have one's druthers." I tell you, if I had my rathers, I'd spend the rest of my life living in Paris. If the president had his rathers, we'd be paying taxes for the privilege of breathing! A: "If I had my rathers, you girls would never be allowed to date!" B: "Oh, come on, Dad! That's just not fair."

I'd rather face a firing squad than (do something)

I really do not want to (do something). A firing squad is a group of people assigned to execute someone by gunfire. The phrase hyperbolically implies that the speaker would rather face a gruesome death than do what is being discussed. I'd rather face a firing squad than do another presentation for the board. Last time, they found an error in my report and screamed at me for it. I'd can't bring home another failing report card, not with my parents! I'd rather face a firing squad than do that again. I'd rather face a firing squad than become supervisor! What a thankless job that is!

late in the game

At a late point in some situation, development, activity, etc. Likened to an athletic game or match. It's a little late in the game to be changing details of the contract, don't you think? They're due to be finalized in the morning! Most analysts think it's too late in the game for something to seriously shift the outcome of the election on Tuesday.

rather (someone) than me

expression I'm glad that I don't have to experience what someone else has to do or go through. A: "My boss is making me come in this weekend to do an inventory of the entire store. It's going to take forever!" B: "Wow, rather you than me. I'm going to a baseball game this weekend!" My sister Janet has to work every day over the Christmas break—rather her than me.

See also: rather

rather close for comfort

1. So physically close as to cause worry. Typically used of dangerous or unwelcome things. The way these planes fly so low over the house is rather close for comfort, don't you think? My neighbors and I all feel that the new shopping center they're planning near our neighborhood is rather close for comfort.

2. So narrow a margin as to increase the risk of error or deviation. Having only $20 in your bank account is rather close for comfort, if you ask me.

rather than

Instead of; as opposed to; as an alternative to. Sometimes the preferred action is written between "rather" and "than." Rather than spending so much of our budget on advertising, I think we should invest a bit more in QA testing. When I go to the movies, I usually prefer candy rather than popcorn, but I'm in the mood for something salty tonight. He'd rather struggle and fail on his own than ask for help.

See also: rather

rather you than me

expression I'm glad that I don't have to experience what you just mentioned having to do or go through. A: "My boss is making me come in this weekend to do an inventory of the entire store. It's going to take forever!" B: "Wow, rather you than me. I'm going to a baseball game this weekend!"

See also: rather

sooner rather than later

As soon or quickly as possible; closer to now than a later time or date. I'd rather we have the meeting sooner rather than later so we can finalize the project details. Can we fill out that application tonight? I'd like to get it done sooner rather than later.

would rather

Would prefer (to do something); would be more inclined or willing (to do something). I would rather go see a movie, to be honest, but we can go dancing if you like. She said she would rather not talk to you right now.

See also: rather

had rather do something

and had sooner do something

prefer to do something. (The had is usually expressed as the contraction, 'd.) I'd rather go to town than sit here all evening. They'd rather not.

See also: rather

have one's rathers

and have one's druthers (More informal with druthers.)

to have what one prefers; to have one's way. If I had my rathers, we'd go out every Friday night. I suspect that if Joe had his druthers, he'd be taking Mary to the dance instead of Jill.

I'd rather face a firing squad than do something

Fig. I would prefer to stand and be executed by gunfire than to do something. I'd rather face a firing squad than go shopping the day after Christmas.

would rather

would more willingly; would more readily. I would rather have an apple than a pear. I don't like pears. I'd rather live in the north than the south, because I like snow.

See also: rather

had rather

Also, had sooner. Would prefer. For example, I had rather you let me do the driving, or He'd sooner switch than fight. This idiom today is often replaced by would rather. [Late 1500s] Also see just as soon.

See also: rather

would rather

Prefer to, as in We would rather eat dinner before the movie. [Mid-1500s]

See also: rather

The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer. Copyright © 2003, 1997 by The Christine Ammer 1992 Trust. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

rather than

instead of somebody/something: I think I’ll have a cold drink rather than coffee. ♢ Why didn’t you ask for help, rather than trying to do it on your own?

See also: rather

rather you, etc. than ˈme

(also sooner you, etc. than ˈme) (especially British English) used for saying that you are pleased that you do not have to do a difficult or unpleasant thing: ‘She works every weekend.’ ‘Rather her than me.’

See also: rather

would rather... (than)

would prefer to: She’d rather die than give a speech. ♢ ‘Do you want to come with us?’ ‘No, I’d rather not.’ ♢ Would you rather walk or go by car? ♢ ‘Do you mind if I smoke?’ ‘I’d rather you didn’t.’

ˌsooner rather than ˈlater

after a short time rather than after a long time: We urged them to sort out the problem sooner rather than later.

be a bit/rather ˈsteep

(informal) (of a price or a request) be too much; be unreasonable: €6? That seems a bit steep for a small piece of cheese. ♢ It’s a bit steep to expect us to work longer hours for no extra money.