PhrasesHub

High on the hog

    Definitions

      • living luxuriously
        Describing a lifestyle or standard of living that is comfortable and affluent

      • enjoying the best of something
        Indicating that someone is experiencing the highest quality or best aspects of a particular situation or experience

    Examples of High on the hog

    • The newly appointed CEO took the company to new heights, spending extravagantly on company events and luxury facilities for the employees. They were really high on the hog.

      The expression "high on the hog" refers to wasting resources on luxuries, especially in a highly extravagant and excessive manner. In this context, 'high on the hog' means that the CEO was indulging in unnecessary expenditure, like throwing lavish parties and offering luxurious facilities to the employees, at the cost of the finances of the company.

    • During the recent company retreat, the manager ordered a range of expensive gourmet food, including lobster, steak, and champagne, rather than keeping it simple and affordable for everyone. I guess they wanted to be high on the hog during the retreat.

      In this example, 'high on the hog' is used to describe a person who is spending excessively and indulging in luxury, even to the extent of ignoring the needs and preferences of others. The manager in this scenario, wanted to provide a lavish and extravagant feast for the retreat, regardless of the extra costs it would entail.

    • The caterers for the wedding were asked to serve the guests with the very best, leaving out the most affordable items, like chicken and rice, instead serving expensive delicacies, like lobster and shrimp. There is no doubt that the guests should be high on the hog during this affair!

      In this context, the expression 'high on the hog' is used sarcastically to describe an event where people are being served extravagant and expensive food, while neglecting the preferences and needs of the less affluent guests. The idea here is that the guests are experiencing extravagance, while being ignored of basic food items that could be easily served at lower costs.

    • The wealthy couple enjoyed a lavish feast that left them feeling high on the hog.

      This idiom means that they had an extravagant and indulgent meal, possibly involving expensive cuts of meat like the hind leg (hog) of a pig. The expression "high on the hog" implies that they fully enjoyed and savored the experience.

    • The sales executive closed a significant deal that left her feeling high on the hog.

      In this example, the idiom refers to achieving a successful outcome, particularly one that results in significant gains or benefits. The expression "high on the hog" implies that the sales executive was elated and reveling in the fullness of her triumph.

    • The star athlete won the championship, with the coach saying that he was finally playing high on the hog.

      Here, the expression "high on the hog" signifies performing at the peak of one's abilities, exhibiting maximum skill and flair. The coach's statement suggests that the athlete had previously been underperforming or had been holding back, but was now fully utilizing his talents.

    • The politician delivered a speech that had the audience eating out of her hand, leaving them feeling high on the hog.

      This idiom implies that the politician's speech was so compelling and persuasive that it left her audience captivated and impressed, much like being served the most delectable parts of a meal. The expression "high on the hog" suggests that the audience was not only engaged but also completely enamored by the politician's rhetorical prowess.


    Conclusion

    The idiom "high on the hog" is used to describe a luxurious lifestyle or enjoying the best of something. It can be used to talk about living in comfort and affluence, or experiencing the highest quality or best aspects of a situation or experience.

    Origin of "High on the hog"

    The origin of the idiom "high on the hog" comes from the fact that the best and most desirable cuts of meat, such as pork chops and bacon, come from the upper part of the pig. These cuts are considered to be the most tender and flavorful, and therefore more desirable. In the past, these cuts were often reserved for the wealthy and privileged, while the lower cuts were more commonly consumed by those with less means. As a result, "high on the hog" came to be associated with a luxurious lifestyle or enjoying the best of something. The idiom has since evolved to be used in a broader sense beyond just food, to describe a comfortable and affluent way of living or experiencing the best of a situation. For example, "After getting a promotion, he was able to live high on the hog and enjoy the finer things in life."