Definition

Adverb: In every possible place; thoroughly and exhaustively.

Usage

The phrase "high and low" is used to emphasize the completeness and thoroughness of a search or effort to find something or someone. It suggests looking in all conceivable locations, both obvious and unlikely.

Examples

• Adverb:
  • I've searched high and low for my car keys, but I can't find them anywhere.
  • They looked high and low for the missing document throughout the entire office building.

Advanced Usage

• "to search high and low": This is the most common collocation, emphasizing an exhaustive search.
  • The police searched high and low for the suspect.
• "to hunt/seek high and low": Similar to "search," these verbs can also be used with the phrase.
  • We hunted high and low for the perfect gift.

Variants and Related Words

• Everywhere (adv): In or to every place. (A more common and direct synonym).
• Far and wide (adv): Over a large area. (Emphasizes geographical scope rather than thoroughness in a specific area).
• Thoroughly (adv): In a thorough manner; completely.

Synonyms

• Everywhere
• All over
• Throughout
• Exhaustively

Related Phrases

• Leave no stone unturned: To try every possible course of action in order to achieve something. (An idiom with a similar meaning of thoroughness).
  • The investigators left no stone unturned in their search for the truth.

Adverb

1. everywhere
   • searched high and low