Meaning: This idiom is used to describe something that is very expensive or costly, often implying that the price is exorbitant or excessive.
Usage in Example Sentences:
- “I’d love to buy that new car, but it costs an arm and a leg.”
- “The repairs on my house after the storm ended up costing an arm and a leg.”
- “Eating out at fancy restaurants every night would cost an arm and a leg; that’s why I prefer cooking at home.”
Origin: The origin of the idiom “cost an arm and a leg” is uncertain, but it likely originated in the United States during the mid-20th century. The phrase may have arisen from the idea that losing an arm or a leg would be an extreme sacrifice, similarly implying that paying a high price for something would also involve considerable sacrifice or expense. Over time, the idiom has become a common way to express the idea of something being very expensive or costly.