put/place a premium on something
put a premium on something
to make something harder or more expensive to obtain or do. The recent action of the bank directors put a premium on new home loans. The scarcity of steel put a premium on the cost of new cars.
put a premium on
Value more highly than usual, as in Her employer put a premium on honesty and hard work. First recorded in 1907, this term is almost always used figuratively.
put a premium on something
orplace a premium on something
If you put a premium on something or place a premium on it, you believe that it is very important or valuable. Companies like these put a premium on training. I place a high premium on what someone is like as a person.
put (or place) a premium on
regard as or make particularly valuable or important. 1998 New Scientist Enormous forces would have acted upon the skull and neck, putting a premium on size and strength.