How do you use "Cost an arm and a leg" in a sentence?

That restaurant costs an arm and a leg. Repairs on old cars cost an arm and a leg. University fees cost an arm and a leg these days.

Cost an arm and a leg

Q: What does "Cost an arm and a leg" mean?

Very expensive So expensive it feels like you're giving up body parts to pay for it. A hyperbolic way to express that something costs far too much money.

Slang Term AmericanBritishAustralian ★★★★★ Very Common Casual

Meaning: Very expensive

非常贵

Muy caro

とても高い

엄청나게 비싼

So expensive it feels like you're giving up body parts to pay for it. A hyperbolic way to express that something costs far too much money.

贵到感觉要献出身体部位才能付得起。一种夸张的说法，表示某物太贵了。

Tan caro que parece que estás entregando partes del cuerpo para pagarlo. Una forma hiperbólica de expresar que algo cuesta demasiado dinero.

体の一部を差し出すくらい高額であるという誇張表現。何かがあまりにも高すぎることを表す。

값을 치르기 위해 신체 부위까지 내놓아야 할 것 같을 정도로 비싸다는 과장 표현입니다. 무언가가 터무니없이 많은 돈이 든다는 것을 나타냅니다.

Examples

That restaurant costs an arm and a leg.
那家餐厅贵得要命
ese restaurante cuesta un ojo de la cara
あのレストランはべらぼうに高い
그 식당은 엄청나게 비싸다.
Repairs on old cars cost an arm and a leg.
修旧车贵得要命
las reparaciones de coches viejos cuestan un ojo de la cara
古い車の修理はべらぼうにかかる
오래된 차 수리비는 어마어마하다.
University fees cost an arm and a leg these days.
如今大学学费贵得要命
las matrículas universitarias cuestan un ojo de la cara hoy en día
最近の大学の学費はべらぼうに高い
요즘 대학 등록금은 엄청나게 비싸다.

Pronunciation

/kɒst ən ɑːm ənd ə leɡ/

Usage Guide

Context: prices, expenses, complaints

Tone: exasperated, hyperbolic

✓ Do Say

Costs an arm and a leg
贵得要命
cuesta un ojo de la cara
べらぼうに高い
팔다리가 잘릴 만큼 비싸다
It'll cost an arm and a leg
得花一大笔钱
va a costar un ojo de la cara
べらぼうにかかるよ
엄청나게 비쌀 거야

✗ Don't Say

Very common hyperbole
非常常见的夸张说法
Hipérbole muy común
非常によく使われる誇張表現
매우 흔한 과장 표현

Common Mistakes

None—universally understood

Origin & History

American phrase from the mid-20th century. The hyperbole suggests the price is so high you'd have to sacrifice limbs to afford it. May be connected to portrait pricing where full-body portraits cost more.

Etymology: Hyperbolic expression for extreme cost

First recorded: American, mid-20th century

Cultural Context

Era: Mid-20th century onwards

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal

Pop culture: Common expression about prices

Regional notes: Universal across English-speaking world.

Variations

Cost an arm and a legCosts an arm and a leg