“Cost an arm and a leg” means that something is very expensive or costs far more than expected.
The image is dramatic, but the expression is usually a casual exaggeration rather than a literal comment about money or injury.
What does “cost an arm and a leg” mean?
When people say something costs an arm and a leg, they mean its price is extremely high, or that paying for it feels like a major sacrifice.
The phrase can describe a product, service, trip, repair, or other expense.
It is an idiom: its meaning comes from the expression as a whole, not from the literal meanings of “arm” and “leg.” A person who uses it is generally expressing an opinion about the price, rather than stating a precise amount.
What counts as expensive depends on the speaker’s budget and the situation.
- “That hotel costs an arm and a leg.” The speaker thinks the room is very expensive.
- “The repair cost us an arm and a leg.” The repair bill was painfully high.
- “I’d love to go, but flights cost an arm and a leg.” The speaker considers the airfare too costly.
How to use the idiom in a sentence
The expression commonly appears with the verb cost.
The verb changes to fit the sentence: costs for a singular subject in the present tense, cost for a plural subject, and cost as the simple past form.
- Present: “A new laptop like that costs an arm and a leg.”
- Past: “We had the heating system replaced, and it cost an arm and a leg.”
- Future: “The concert tickets will cost an arm and a leg if we wait until the last minute.”
- With a person as the subject: “It cost me an arm and a leg to fix the car.”
- With a noun phrase: “The renovation cost them an arm and a leg.”
The phrase often follows the thing that is expensive: “The dress costs an arm and a leg.” It can also follow a person or group paying: “It cost her an arm and a leg.” In both patterns, cost identifies the expense and the idiom emphasizes how high it seemed.
Everyday examples
These examples show how the idiom works in conversation and informal writing:
- “I like that camera, but it costs an arm and a leg.”
- “We found a lovely apartment downtown, though the rent costs an arm and a leg.”
- “The plumber fixed the leak quickly, but the emergency callout cost an arm and a leg.”
- “She wanted to buy the designer shoes, but decided they cost too much—an arm and a leg.”
- “Eating at that restaurant can cost an arm and a leg, so we saved it for a special occasion.”
- “The car was cheap to buy, but replacing its parts cost us an arm and a leg.”
- “A week at the beach resort would cost an arm and a leg during school holidays.”
- “It doesn’t have to cost an arm and a leg to furnish a small room; secondhand shops can be useful.”
Is “cost an arm and a leg” formal or informal?
The idiom is familiar and conversational.
It fits naturally in everyday speech, informal emails, reviews, and approachable articles.
It may sound too casual or exaggerated in a formal report, a price list, or a business document where readers need exact figures.
For a neutral or professional tone, use a more specific alternative, such as is expensive, has a high price, or requires a substantial investment.
If the actual amount matters, state the price rather than relying on an idiom.
For example, “The annual subscription costs $600” is clearer than “The subscription costs an arm and a leg.”
The phrase is also subjective.
In a conversation about a costly repair, one person might say it cost an arm and a leg while another considers the price reasonable.
The idiom communicates the speaker’s reaction, not an objective threshold for what qualifies as expensive.
Similar expressions and their differences
Several common expressions describe high prices, but they do not all carry exactly the same tone:
- “Break the bank” means to spend, or risk spending, more than one can comfortably afford.
It often appears in advice about keeping within a budget: “You can find a good phone without breaking the bank.” - “Pay through the nose” means to pay an excessive price.
It can sound more forceful or critical: “We paid through the nose for last-minute tickets.” - “Be a rip-off” describes a price or deal the speaker considers unfair or poor value.
It makes a stronger judgment about value than “cost an arm and a leg”: “That basic charger for $80 is a rip-off.” - “Be pricey” is a straightforward, informal way to say that something is expensive.
It is less vivid and usually less dramatic.
Use “cost an arm and a leg” when you want an expressive, everyday way to complain about a high price.
Choose “break the bank” when affordability is the focus, and “rip-off” when you mean the price seems unfair for what is offered.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Taking it literally: The expression is figurative.
It normally refers to money, not physical harm. - Using it for a small expense: The phrase suggests a price that feels very high.
For a modest cost, a bit expensive or more than I expected may be a better fit. - Confusing price with value: Something can cost an arm and a leg without being a rip-off.
It may be costly but still worth the price to the buyer. - Changing the established wording: The recognized expression is “cost an arm and a leg.” Variations may be understood, but they can sound like jokes or deliberate wordplay rather than the standard idiom.
Quick usage guide
Use “cost an arm and a leg” when you want to say, informally and emphatically, that an expense feels very high.
It works for individual purchases and broader costs, from a restaurant meal to a home renovation.
Because it is an exaggeration, keep it for situations where the speaker’s reaction matters more than an exact price.