highbrow; too advanced for the masses; few can appreciate
Meanings
2 senses · 5 examplesidiom
so highbrow that few can sing along; a rare connoisseur
literaryOriginally referred to music that was too advanced for most people to appreciate; often used to describe the difficulty of finding a true understanding friend. Literally 'high tune, few harmonizers'.
This song is too classical; truly highbrow and appreciated by few.
Although his piano skills are superb, it is inevitably too highbrow for most listeners.
idiom
too highbrow or esoteric for the general public; beyond popular appreciation
neutralModern usage extends to speech, writing, or art that is too sophisticated, obscure, or avant-garde for ordinary people to understand or appreciate. Often carries a slightly negative connotation of being out of touch with common taste.
This director's experimental films are too highbrow and had dismal box office results.
Although his theory is profound, it is overly abstract and inevitably too esoteric for most people.
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This postmodern novel is too highbrow for ordinary readers to understand.