Heard 'cost an arm and a leg' when talking about rent—what does it really mean?
Hi everyone! I'm watching a TV show where one of the characters says, "That apartment costs an arm and a leg!" I think I kind of understand, but I'm not sure exactly how to use this phrase myself.
For example, should I say, "My new phone cost me an arm and a leg" or is it better to say, "Buying a car here costs an arm and a leg"? Also, is this phrase okay to use in formal writing, or is it just for casual conversation? I'd like to understand how native speakers use this idiom in real life.
Context:
Learning everyday English idioms for American conversations.
What to Know
| What to Know | Why It Matters | Example | Quick Check |
|---|---|---|---|
| It follows a structure like [subject] + cost(s) + (someone) + an arm and a leg . | If you can swap the price with "an arm and a leg" and still talk about something that's expensive, you've got it right. | She used the idiom naturally in everyday conversation. | Does this idiom fit my exact meaning and situation? |
| Avoid this idiom when the context is literal or the meaning could confuse readers. | It's rarely used in formal writing, so keep it to conversations or casual texts/emails. | In literal situations, use direct wording instead of the idiom. | Would this idiom sound natural to a native speaker in this exact context? |
3 Answers
Understanding the Pattern:
The idiom "cost an arm and a leg" describes something that is very expensive or overpriced. It follows a structure like [subject] + cost(s) + (someone) + an arm and a leg.
Example Patterns:
- "This watch costs an arm and a leg."
- "My laptop cost me an arm and a leg."
Contrast with Standard:
Compare:
- Literal: "My house cost $300,000."
- Idiomatic: "My house cost me an arm and a leg."
Usage Note:
This phrase is common in everyday, informal English. It's rarely used in formal writing, so keep it to conversations or casual texts/emails.
Practice Tip:
Try making your own sentences about things you think are overpriced, but avoid it in essays or business emails.
Self-Check:
If you can swap the price with "an arm and a leg" and still talk about something that's expensive, you've got it right.
Guided Explanation:
"Cost an arm and a leg" is a common idiom meaning something is very expensive. It's best for spoken or informal written English—such as in conversations, texts, or personal messages.
Examples in Context:
- "Gasoline costs an arm and a leg these days!" (informal, spoken)
- "I wanted a designer jacket, but it costs an arm and a leg, so I didn't buy it." (casual, everyday speech)
Formality Comparison:
- Informal: "That wedding dress costs an arm and a leg."
- Formal: "The wedding dress was extremely expensive."
Practice Activity:
Make a list of three things in your own life that you think are too expensive and try using the idiom with them. For example, "Eating out in this city costs an arm and a leg."
Correction Advice:
If you find yourself using this phrase in a business report or school essay, try replacing it with more neutral language, like "very expensive," to match the situation.
Explanation:
The phrase "cost an arm and a leg" is an informal way to say something is extremely expensive. Notice you can phrase it in two ways: "[something] costs an arm and a leg" or "[something] cost me an arm and a leg," depending on whether you want to mention the buyer.
Examples to Compare:
Correct: "Eating in that restaurant costs an arm and a leg."
Correct: "My vacation to New York cost me an arm and a leg."
Incorrect (too formal): "Negotiating this contract cost the company an arm and a leg." (Better to say: "It was very costly." in formal writing)
Practice Tip:
Try changing regular price sentences to the idiom and vice versa. For example: Turn "The shoes were extremely expensive" into "The shoes cost an arm and a leg."
Correction Guide:
If you’re writing something formal—like an academic essay—try not to use this idiom. Use expressions like "was extremely expensive" or "was prohibitively costly" instead.
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