Cost/pay an arm and a leg

usgb
phrase

To cost a lot of money, to be very expensive.

The brand new car cost him an arm and a leg.
Visual representation of "cost/pay an arm and a leg" - To cost a lot of money, to be very expensive.

Often appears as...

  • a meal there will cost an arm and a leg
  • this dress costs an arm and a leg

Usage tips

Informal

Idiomatic

Definition 1 of 1
Visual representation of "cost/pay an arm and a leg"
LampPro Tip 1/3

Exaggeration

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

Illustration for Exaggeration
That designer watch must have cost you an arm and a leg!
LampPro Tip 2/3

Informal Tone

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

Illustration for Informal Tone
I’d love to go on that trip, but the tickets cost an arm and a leg.
LampPro Tip 3/3

Humorous Context

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

Illustration for Humorous Context
Eating out at that fancy restaurant would cost us an arm and a leg, we'd be broke!
Visual representation of the word "Cost/pay an arm and a leg"

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