How do you use "Pay through the nose" in a sentence?

We paid through the nose for that hotel. You'll pay through the nose if you book last minute. They make you pay through the nose for parking.

Pay through the nose

Q: What does "Pay through the nose" mean?

To pay an excessive amount To be charged much more than something is worth. The pain of paying so much is like having money extracted through your nose.

Slang Term BritishAmericanAustralian ★★★★☆ Common Casual

Meaning: To pay an excessive amount

付出过高的价格

Pagar una cantidad excesiva

法外な金額を支払う

터무니없이 비싼 값을 치르다

To be charged much more than something is worth. The pain of paying so much is like having money extracted through your nose.

被收取远超实际价值的费用。付那么多钱的痛苦就像钱从鼻子里被抽走一样。

Que te cobren mucho más de lo que algo vale. El dolor de pagar tanto es como si te sacaran el dinero por la nariz.

ものの価値よりもはるかに多く請求されること。これほど多く払う苦痛は、鼻からお金を引き抜かれるようなもの。

무언가의 가치보다 훨씬 비싼 값을 지불하는 것. 너무 많은 돈을 내는 고통이 마치 코에서 돈을 뽑아내는 것 같다는 뜻.

Examples

We paid through the nose for that hotel.
那家酒店我们花了天价
Pagamos un ojo de la cara por ese hotel
あのホテルにはべらぼうな金額を払った
그 호텔에 엄청난 돈을 냈어.
You'll pay through the nose if you book last minute.
如果你临时预订，要被宰得很惨
Pagarás un ojo de la cara si reservas a última hora
直前に予約すると法外な料金を取られるよ
막판에 예약하면 바가지를 쓸 거야.
They make you pay through the nose for parking.
他们的停车费贵得离谱
Te clavan un pastón por el aparcamiento
駐車料金がべらぼうに高い
거기는 주차비가 터무니없이 비싸.

Pronunciation

/peɪ θruː ðə nəʊz/

Usage Guide

Context: overcharging, prices, expenses

Tone: resentful, complaining

✓ Do Say

Pay through the nose
花冤枉钱
Pagar un ojo de la cara
法外な金額を払う
바가지를 쓰다
Paid through the nose
花了冤枉钱
Pagó un ojo de la cara
法外な金額を払った
바가지를 썼다

✗ Don't Say

Very common complaint
非常常见的抱怨
Queja muy habitual
非常によくある不満
매우 흔한 불만 표현

Common Mistakes

None—widely understood

Origin & History

Possibly from the 9th century Scandinavian 'nose tax' in Ireland, where those who didn't pay had their noses slit. Or simply from the pain of excessive payment being like something through the nose.

Etymology: Possibly from Viking nose tax or painful imagery

First recorded: 17th century

Cultural Context

Era: 17th century onwards

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal

Pop culture: Consumer complaints

Regional notes: Universal across English-speaking world.

Variations

Pay through the nosePaid through the nose