I heard someone describing another as “a high and fine person”. I couldn’t find this phrase online. It is certainly not high and dry as it doesn’t fit the context of their conversation. I wonder if it is American slang and what is the meaning of it?
My guess on high and fine is a person with integrity and admirable personalities?
There was an answer posted by a member with quoted Google Source: The O’Ruddy. I don’t know why the answer was deleted. I think that answer fits right. High and fine shares the same meaning as well-bred.
Consolidated the sources provided by members for easy reference. Seems like high and fine is used with a positive connotation.
Google Source: The O’Ruddy — provided by @Mari-Lou A and @Justin
The crowd was too high and fine; many of the people were altogether too well bred.
Google Source: Mark Twain — provided by @Mitch
“High and fine literature is wine, and mine is only water; but everybody likes water.” — Mark Twain
The commission may issue a liquor retailer’s permit only to a high grade club, restaurant, or hotel, which has a high and fine reputation for decency and law obedience. In no case shall a liquor retailer’s permit be issued or stand unrevoked if the owner, manager, or management of the establishment is not a person of strict integrity and high repute, or if the premises have been padlocked.
Answer
I can closely link "a high and fine person" to well-bred (From Dictionary.com) –
Well-bred
adjective
: well brought up; properly trained and educated: a well-bred boy.
Example sentence (linking "high and fine" with well-bred) –
The crowd was too high and fine; many of the people were altogether too well-bred.
Attribution
Source : Link , Question Author : Organic Heart , Answer Author : Justin