Estar por las nubes

to be through the roof; **to be through the roof**; **to be sky-high**; **to be soaring**; **to be extremely high**; **to be off the charts** (depending on the context)

Estar por las nubes means to be extremely high, excessively expensive or far above what is normal or expected.

The expression almost always implies an unusually elevated level.

• very high prices
• soaring inflation
• unusually high temperatures
• excessive expectations
• extremely high popularity or demand

The metaphor comes from the obvious image of something rising so high that it reaches the clouds.

Spanish has long associated height with intensity.

Over time, estar por las nubes became one of the standard expressions for describing anything that reaches an exceptionally high level.

Although the expression can be used positively (for example, su popularidad está por las nubes), it most often refers to situations that people view negatively, especially rising prices and the cost of living.

It is one of the most common idioms in economic news.

Spanish frequently uses images of height to describe intensity:

• Estar por las nubes → to be through the roof.
• Subirse a la cabeza → to let success go to one's head.
• Tocar el cielo con las manos → to be overjoyed or achieve a dream.

Height is one of the most productive metaphors in everyday Spanish.

Do not translate the expression literally.

English speakers would not normally say:

Prices are in the clouds.

Instead, use expressions such as:

• Prices are through the roof.
• Rent is sky-high.
• Demand has soared.
• Temperatures are extremely high.

The translation depends on what is being described.