- To be extremely expensive.
Explanation
Origin
The exact origin is uncertain, but it's a highly evocative hyperbole emphasizing a very high price. Theories (mostly unsubstantiated) include:
- Portrait Painting: Suggesting early portrait painters charged extra for including arms and legs. (Unlikely).
- Sacrifice: Referencing the loss of limbs in war or accidents as a high price to pay. (Possible metaphorical link).
- Furniture: Referring to the cost of ornate chairs with arms and legs. (Unlikely).
Most likely, it emerged as a vivid expression in the mid-20th century (post-WWII) simply to exaggerate high cost, implying one would have to give up something as valuable as limbs to afford it.
Synonyms & Related Expressions
Alternatives
Slang/Informal:
- Cost a bomb (UK/Aus)
- Cost a packet (UK)
- Cost big bucks
- Spendy (US adjective expensive)
- Not cheap (Understatement)
- Maxed out the credit card (Implies high cost)
Vulgar/Emphatic:
- Cost a fucking fortune.
- Expensive as hell. / Expensive as fuck.
Situational Appropriateness
- Informal. It's a common hyperbole used in everyday conversation.
- Avoid in very formal financial reports or discussions where precise language is needed.
Misunderstanding Warnings
- Purely idiomatic. No one expects literal limbs to be involved. The meaning of very expensive is almost always clear.
Examples
- Buying a house in this city costs an arm and a leg.
- That designer handbag must have cost an arm and a leg.
- Getting the car repaired cost me an arm and a leg.
Dialogue
Paul: I love your new camera! Bet that cost an arm and a leg.
Rachel: It certainly wasn't cheap! I had to save up for ages.
Paul: Well, hopefully it takes amazing pictures!
Social Media Examples
- Tweet: Just looked at ticket prices for that festival... costs an arm and a leg! Guess I'm staying home. 😭 #festival #expensive #broke
- Instagram caption with photo of new car: Finally got my dream car! Cost an arm and a leg but totally worth it! 😍 #newcar #dreamcometrue #worthit
Response Patterns
- Agreement/Sympathy: Tell me about it! / Yeah, prices are crazy. / Ouch!
- Shock/Inquiry: Really? How much was it? (Use caution, asking price can be impolite).
- Justification (if the speaker made the purchase): Yeah, but it was worth it.
Common Follow-up Questions/Actions
After hearing something cost an arm and a leg:
- Expressing sympathy about the expense: Wow, that's tough.
- Discussing affordability or value for money: Is it worth the price?
- Complaining together about high costs in general.
- Possibly asking the price range, if appropriate contextually: Roughly how much are we talking?
Conversation Starter
- Yes, can be used to comment on perceived high prices or initiate a conversation about costs. Thinking of getting a new phone, but the latest models cost an arm and a leg.
Intonation
- Said with emphasis, often with a tone of complaint, shock, or resignation about the high price.
- Strong stress on ARM and LEG. It cost an ARM and a LEG.
Generation Differences
- Widely understood and used by all generations.
Regional Variations
- Common in all major English-speaking regions. Alternatives like cost a bomb are more regional.