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The IDIOM of the WEEK


COST AN ARM AND A LEG

The phrase refers to something astronomically expensive.

It is a rather popular idiom that is thought to have its origins sometime around World War II. The phrase, which is applicable to a wide variety of situations, suggests that something is so expensive that it’s like losing an arm and a leg to pay for it.

The example sentences are as follows:

My daughter has developed a deep appreciation for fine fashion. Unfortunately, she is always* asking me if she can buy clothes that cost an arm and a leg.

They decided to skip the engagement ring when they decided to get married, choosing to put their savings toward a down payment rather than buying a piece of jewelry that would cost an arm and a leg.

Nowadays theatre tickets cost an arm and a leg.

The synonym that can be used instead of the idiom is "to cost a fortune" as one of the meanings of the noun "fortune" is a large amount of money.

*The one who knows why "always" is used in Continuous there, gets a ⭐.
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