What Does 'Cost an Arm and a Leg' Mean? (よく使う英語慣用語句） -N0.508-

What Does 'Cost an Arm and a Leg' Mean?


Introduction: 

Have you ever bought something that was so expensive it felt like it cost you more than just money? This common idiom, "cost an arm and a leg," is used to describe something that is very expensive or pricey.

1. What Does 'Cost an Arm and a Leg' Mean?

"Cost an arm and a leg" means that something is very expensive or that you paid a lot of money for it. The idiom suggests that the price is so high that it's as if you’re paying a huge personal cost, almost as if you’re sacrificing a part of yourself.

2. When to Use It

This idiom is typically used when talking about something that is overpriced or costs significantly more than expected. Whether it’s an item you bought, a service, or even an event, this phrase emphasizes the high price you’ve paid.

  • Example:

    A: Did you see the price of that new smartphone?
    B: Yeah, it costs an arm and a leg.


3. 日本語の同じような表現

 日本語では、英語の「Cost an arm and a leg」に相当する表現として「大金がかかる」や「非常に高価である」などがあります。特に「お金がかかる」というフレーズは、何かがとても高い価格であることを伝える際に使われます。


Conclusion:

"Cost an arm and a leg" is an idiom used to describe something that is incredibly expensive. It’s often used to emphasize the high price of something, making it clear that the cost was far from cheap.






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