cost an arm and a leg
cost an arm and a leg
Meaning | Synonyms
- very expensive
- costing a lot of money
- to be very expensive
- a very large and exorbitant sum of money
- very costly
- excessively pricey
- cost a fortune
Example Sentences
- I’d really like to have a new farm house, but it may cost me an arm and a leg.
- This dress is really nice, but it cost me an arm and a leg.
- You must visit that restaurant; the food is really good, and it doesn’t cost you an arm and a leg.
- “How much would you pay for luxurious farmhouse by the beach? An arm and a leg?”
- I would have loved to go with my friends on a vacation, but it would have cost me an arm and a leg.
- The show is excellent, but the tickets cost an arm and a leg.
- He really wants to go to that event. He’s willing to pay an arm and a leg for it.
- I went to the auction but didn’t pick up anything. Everything cost an arm and a leg.
- This resort lets you experience luxury without having to pay an arm and a leg.
Origin
This is an American phrase, coined sometime after World War II. Probable reference is to soldiers who had lost their limbs in the war, thus having to pay a very high price for the war.
Idiom of the Day
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14 Thoughts
The phrase originates from painting in the 15th century and later when portraits were popular. Arms and legs are difficult to paint properly. If an artist cited a price higher than the patron wished to pay, the artist might agree to do the painting for less with fewer or no limbs in the picture. Thus the reduction in price “could cost you an arm and a leg.”
- David November 26, 2018
What a nice! it is very useful to us, like me a student, and also the teachers. Keep it up!
- Nicka Jae Ritamal August 6, 2018
Why don’t you put ‘S’ at the third person sing of the verb to cast?
- Renold June 5, 2018
You helped me in my project. Thankz
😊😊
- Angela May 3, 2018
This is very useful #idioms is fun
- Meegs Fetalvero January 25, 2018
This is very useful to me.
- Yuxun January 11, 2018
Useful stuff
- Roshan January 8, 2018
This idiom is really very helpful and good for school.
This idiom make interest in more idioms, unexpectedly.
- Sofia Anum January 2, 2018
This is very simple and useful ,
- Eli Machang December 2, 2017
It originates in pharaonic Egypt – the man who lost an arm & a leg as punishment (for sleeping with the pharo concubines) is depicted (a man with one hand and one leg and very erected ‘manhood’) among the reliefs of the great temple of Kernak – if you visit that temple check it out.
- Giorge November 7, 2017
Thank you so much for this idiom
- Mystery girl November 1, 2017
This is really useful for school.
- Jenna Louw August 14, 2017
Your origin is rubbish it has been used in the UK for centuries and is in reference to portrait painting.
- Tim May 22, 2017
This is very usefull to learn more.
- Priya May 2, 2016