an arm and a leg

Exorbitant cost metaphorically

An arm and a leg is an exorbitant price—so high it feels like losing body parts: That repair cost me an arm and a leg.

The phrase emphasizes how much something demands, whether money, effort, or sacrifice.

Nearly always appears with verbs like cost, pay, or charge.

highcost

expensive

Costing much money

steep · exorbitant · outrageous · astronomical · sky-high · prohibitive · unaffordable · extortionate · excessive · highway robbery

Opposites
cost/price

an arm and a legfree

Without payment or restriction

dirt cheap · cheap · pennies · next to nothing · pocket change

value proposition

an arm and a lega good deal

A large quantity

worth every penny · bang for your buck

sacrifice/effort required

an arm and a legno sweat

Casual assurance of ease

effortless · painless · a breeze · easy come easy go · no skin off one's nose

Family

armed, disarm, armchair, armpit, armful, legged, forearm, disarming, leggings

Familiarity
Top 50,000
Profile
Known to kids · Used worldwide · Timeless · Negative · Everyday, not technical · Rated G