robbery committed on a highway against travelers, as by a highwayman
2. informal
a price or fee that is unreasonably high; exorbitant charge
Derived forms
highway robber
Word origin
[1770–80]This word is first recorded in the period 1770–80. Other words that entered Englishat around the same time include: charade, crescendo, parka, red flag, shotgun
Examples of 'highway robbery' in a sentence
highway robbery
And you get zero emissions which means no road tax or congestion charging and an end to highway robbery at the petrol pumps.
The Sun (2011)
It's just another example of highway robbery of the honest motorist.
The Sun (2009)
How much more of this highway robbery are we suppose to take?
The Sun (2013)
Their sharp practices are licensed highway robbery.
The Sun (2009)
Is there no way of stopping this modern-day highway robbery?
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
Is this coincidence or a worrying trend of footballers becoming the victims of highway robbery?
The Sun (2016)
But it is legalised highway robbery.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
She describes the tolls as 'highway robbery', adding that collecting the fees cause long queues at rush hour.