at a premium

Meaning

When something is 'at a premium', it is scarce and highly valued, meaning people are willing to pay more for it or it is difficult to obtain. It can refer to high monetary costs or simply the high value placed on limited resources like time or space. The tone is neutral and professional.

Examples

• During the holiday season, hotel rooms in the city center are at a premium.

  During the holiday season, hotel rooms in the city center are at a premium.

• With the launch of the new project, office space has been at a premium.

  With the launch of the new project, office space has been at a premium.

• Experienced software developers are currently at a premium in the job market.

  Experienced software developers are currently at a premium in the job market.

• Time is at a premium today, so let's keep this meeting as brief as possible.

  Time is at a premium today, so let's keep this meeting as brief as possible.

• Organic ingredients are often sold at a premium compared to conventional ones.

  Organic ingredients are often sold at a premium compared to conventional ones.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ Good customer service is at premium these days.

  ✓ Good customer service is at a premium these days.

  The phrase must include the indefinite article 'a'. Do not omit it.

• ✗ Because of the shortage, water was very premium.

  ✓ Because of the shortage, water was at a premium.

  'Premium' can be an adjective in other contexts (e.g., 'premium quality'), but to express scarcity and high value in this idiom, you must use the prepositional phrase 'at a premium'.

Related Expressions

Practice

• Since we downsized our headquarters, meeting rooms have been ________.

  💡 Highly valued and scarce.

  Show answer

  at a premium

• Qualified cybersecurity experts are ________ right now, making recruitment very competitive.

  💡 In short supply and high demand.

  Show answer

  at a premium