Cost the earth Meaning in English

expression

US

ˈkɑst/, /ˈkɔst/ /ˈðə/, /ðə/, /ði/ /ˈɝθ

KAWST (or KAHST) thuh URTH

UK

kˈɒst/ /ðə, ði/ /ˈɜːθ

KOST thuh URTH

Definition

If something 'costs the earth,' it is extremely expensive; it costs a lot of money.

Usage & Nuances

This is a British English idiom, often used informally. Strong alternative phrases include 'cost a fortune' or 'cost an arm and a leg.' Typically used to exaggerate high price, not for small expenses.

• Spanish: costar un ojo de la cara - costar una fortuna
• Portuguese (BR): custar os olhos da cara - custar uma fortuna
• Portuguese (PT): custar os olhos da cara - custar uma fortuna
• Chinese (Simplified): 贵得要命 - 贵得离谱
• Chinese (Traditional): 貴得要命 - 貴得離譜
• Hindi: बहुत महंगा होना - आसमान छूती कीमत होना
• Arabic: يكلّف ثروة - يكلّف الكثير
• Bengali: ভীষণ দাম - আকাশছোঁয়া দাম
• Russian: очень дорого - стоит целое состояние
• Japanese: とても高い - ものすごくお金がかかる
• Vietnamese: rất đắt đỏ - giá trên trời
• Korean: 엄청 비싸다 - 가격이 하늘을 찌르다
• Turkish: dünyalar kadar pahalı - çok pahalıya mal olmak
• Urdu: بہت زیادہ قیمت - آسمان سے باتیں کرتی قیمت
• Indonesian: sangat mahal - mahal sekali

Example Sentences

That new phone cost the earth.

basic

We can't buy that house— it costs the earth.

basic

The concert tickets cost the earth.

basic

I'd love that designer bag, but it costs the earth, so I'll just admire it from afar.

natural

Going to university abroad can cost the earth if you don’t get a scholarship.

natural

Our wedding didn't cost the earth— we kept things simple and still had a great day.

natural