costs an arm and a leg
Demands steep payment
If something costs an arm and a leg, it is extremely expensive—so much so that paying for it feels like sacrificing body parts.
The phrase is informal hyperbole, often used to complain about prices: Tickets to the concert cost an arm and a leg.
It applies equally to literal purchases and metaphorical costs: Getting that promotion cost me an arm and a leg in overtime hours.
- priceyCosting a lot
- pay through the noseSpend excessively for something
- dearTreasured or costly
- prohibitivePreventing through excess
- unaffordableToo costly to buy
daylight robbery · overpriced · fortune · exorbitant · top dollar · high-priced · steep · inflated · splurge · extravagant · expensive · break the bank · deep pockets · luxury cars · lavish · jewelry · shock · outrage
price/expense level
costs an arm and a legdirt cheap
Extremely low-priced
free · cheap as chips · a dime a dozen · affordable · budget-friendly