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.
Costing much money
- priceyCosting a lot
- costlyHigh in price
- overpricedCosting more than warranted
- steepRising at sharp angle
exorbitant · outrageous · astronomical · sky-high · prohibitive · unaffordable · extortionate · excessive
expensive
Costing much money
- priceyCosting a lot
- costlyHigh in price
- overpricedCosting more than warranted
steep · exorbitant · outrageous · astronomical · sky-high · prohibitive · unaffordable · extortionate · excessive · highway robbery
an arm and a legfree
Without payment or restriction
dirt cheap · cheap · pennies · next to nothing · pocket change
an arm and a legno sweat
Casual assurance of ease
effortless · painless · a breeze · easy come easy go · no skin off one's nose
armed, disarm, armchair, armpit, armful, legged, forearm, disarming, leggings