idiom · informal
cost an arm and a leg
UK/kɒst ən ɑːm ənd ə lɛɡ/US/kɔːst ən ɑrm ənd ə lɛɡ/COST·an·ARM·and·a·LEG
to be very expensive
Examples
“That designer phone costs an arm and a leg, so I decided to buy a cheaper model.”
“Medical treatment overseas can cost an arm and a leg for uninsured patients.”
“Renovating the house will cost an arm and a leg, but it will increase the property's value.”
Band 8 sentence
“Luxury private schooling can cost an arm and a leg, which is why some parents prefer investing in public education initiatives instead.”
Collocations
- cost someone an arm and a leg
- it costs an arm and a leg
- might cost an arm and a leg
Word family
Common mistakes
Dịch từng từ: "tốn một cánh tay và một chiếc chân"→rất đắt / tốn rất nhiều tiền
It's cost an arm and a leg.→It costs an arm and a leg.
Say it for a higher band
5very expensive→6extremely expensive→7+cost an arm and a leg
Synonyms
be exorbitant
pay through the nose
Easily confused
pay through the nose
“Tourists often pay through the nose for souvenirs in that area.”
break the bank
“Buying that car could break the bank for most young people.”
Related words
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In Money
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