Cost/pay an arm and a leg

Pro Tip 1/3

Exaggeration

The phrase is an exaggeration and not to be taken literally; it indicates something is very expensive.

That designer watch must have cost you an arm and a leg!

Pro Tip 2/3

Informal Tone

Used in casual conversations, not in formal writing or speeches.

I’d love to go on that trip, but the tickets cost an arm and a leg.

Pro Tip 3/3

Humorous Context

Often used humorously to comment on the high price of something.

Eating out at that fancy restaurant would cost us an arm and a leg, we'd be broke!