WordValecost an arm and a leg
to be very expensive
In more detail
(idiom) to be very expensive; to require paying a very high price
Examples
- That new car costs an arm and a leg, so I'm saving up for years to buy it.
How to use cost an arm and a leg
This idiom is used informally to express that something is extremely expensive or unaffordably priced. It appears in both spoken and written English but carries a colloquial, somewhat exaggerated tone that suggests frustration or disbelief at a high price. The expression is more emphatic and colorful than simple alternatives like 'expensive' or 'costly.'
Common phrases
- will cost an arm and a leg
- costs an arm and a leg
- cost you an arm and a leg
- doesn't cost an arm and a leg
Synonyms
be exorbitant · be overpriced · burn a hole in your pocket · break the bank · be pricey
A common mistake
Learners sometimes attempt to translate or adapt the idiom literally in other languages, or use it in formal writing where a straightforward word like 'expensive' would be more appropriate.
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