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.

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.