Cost an arm and a leg Meaning in English
expression
KAWST an ARM and uh LEG
KOST an AHM and uh LEG
Definition
If something costs an arm and a leg, it is very expensive or costs a lot of money.
Usage & Nuances
This is an informal and humorous idiom used mainly in spoken or casual writing. It only refers to high price, never to physical effort. Often used with 'costs', 'it cost', or questions: 'Does it cost an arm and a leg?' Avoid in formal business documents.
Spanish: costar un ojo de la cara - costar un riñónPortuguese (BR): custar os olhos da cara - ser caríssimoPortuguese (PT): custar os olhos da cara - ser caríssimoChinese (Simplified): 贵得要命 - 花了很多钱Chinese (Traditional): 貴得要命 - 花了很多錢Hindi: बहुत महँगा होनाArabic: يكلف ثروة - يكلف الكثيرBengali: অত্যন্ত দামি - অনেক টাকা লাগেRussian: стоит целое состояние - стоит баснословно дорогоJapanese: とても高い - 法外な値段がするVietnamese: đắt cắt cổ - giá trên trờiKorean: 엄청 비싸다 - 가격이 너무 비싸다Turkish: fahiş fiyata mal olmak - çok pahalıya mal olmakUrdu: بہت مہنگا ہونا - بہت زیادہ پیسے لگناIndonesian: sangat mahal - harganya selangit
Example Sentences
That new phone costs an arm and a leg.
basic
My vacation cost an arm and a leg.
basic
The tickets cost an arm and a leg.
basic
I really want that car, but it costs an arm and a leg.
natural
We’d love to stay at that hotel, but it costs an arm and a leg.
natural
Did that dress cost an arm and a leg?
natural