verb phrase🎓 English idiom
cost an arm and a leg
to be very expensive
What it means
To be extremely expensive; to cost a very large amount of money. It's an exaggerated, informal way to complain about a high price.
Words like “cost an arm and a leg” are exactly the kind of vocabulary our English vocabulary size test measures — find out how many English words you know.
Examples
- These concert tickets cost an arm and a leg, but it was worth it.
- Repairing the old car would cost an arm and a leg.
- A house near the beach can cost an arm and a leg.
- I'd love that watch, but it costs an arm and a leg.
Where it comes from
An American expression from the mid-20th century. The exact origin is uncertain, but it builds on older phrases that measured a steep price in body parts, suggesting you'd give almost anything to afford it.
Related idioms
🎓 Think you know your idioms?
Take the English Idioms Test — 20 terms, instant result, no signup.
Take the English Idioms TestBuilt by the team behind Deep In.