Meaning & use
high level serious discussion
Last updated
Meanings
phrasecountable
A talk between important or senior people about a serious subject.
Grammar: Use an or the before it: a high-level serious discussion.
Patterns
- a high-level serious discussion
- hold a high-level serious discussion
- high-level serious discussion about something
The two leaders held a high-level serious discussion about trade.
A high-level serious discussion is needed to solve the crisis.
They had a high-level serious discussion on climate change.
phrasecountableformal
A detailed and thoughtful conversation about a difficult topic.
Grammar: Often used in academic or formal settings.
Patterns
- a high-level serious discussion of something
- engage in high-level serious discussion
The seminar encouraged high-level serious discussion of the theory.
We need high-level serious discussion, not small talk.
Common combinations
- hold a high-level serious discussion
- The committee will hold a high-level serious discussion tomorrow.
- high-level talks
- High-level talks resumed after a break.
- serious discussion
- The topic needs serious discussion.
- a discussion about
- We had a discussion about the new rules.
Synonyms and how they differ
- high-level talks
- High-level talks is more common in news reports and often suggests official negotiations.
- summit
- A summit is a meeting between top leaders; high-level serious discussion can be any serious talk between senior people.
Opposites
Practice
The presidents held a high-level serious ______ about security.
Choose one answer.
The noun discussion is needed after serious; discuss is a verb, discussing is a participle, and discussed is a past verb.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “high level serious discussion”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.