English · Work & Business
cost an arm and a leg
/kɒst ən ɑːm ənd ə leɡ/
[/kɒst ən ɑːm ənd ə leɡ/]
be very expensive
Intermediatephrase
Definition
To be extremely expensive.
Example
That designer handbag cost an arm and a leg, but she'd been saving for it all year.
That designer handbag cost an arm and a leg, but she'd been saving for it all year.
Etymology
Mid-20th-century American expression suggesting a price so high it equals losing a limb.
How & Where It’s Used
Informal and common for complaining about high prices.