What does it mean to say something costs an arm and a leg?
Today you’ll find out what this idiom means and whether or not you should say it.
This is an excellent connection topic, as we often discuss how much things cost!
Costs an arm and a leg
Michelle asks Lindsay about the last time she purchased something that cost an arm and a leg.
Linsday answers that travel can cost an arm and a leg.
She shares that she just booked a trip to Norway.
Michelle points out that travel can have many hidden expenses like checking a bag or choosing a seat.
Today’s episode is inspired by a YouTube viewer’s question about the expression “cost an arm and a leg.”
Great topic
I appreciate the hard work
I have a question: Do you still say it costs an arm and a leg or is it outdated?
@maryamazizi9274
Lindsay and Michelle say that the expression “an arm and a leg” can feel slightly outdated.
However, it’s still used sometimes and you can still use it.
To say something costs an arm and a leg means it is very expensive.
Here are some examples:
- This new computer program is going to cost us an arm and a leg, but we can’t function without it.
- How much is this? We can’t afford to get anything that costs an arm and a leg right now.
Michelle asks Lindsay how she decides what is worth it when determining a budget for All Ears English.
Lindsay shares that the monetary investment isn’t the only consideration.
A lot of thought goes into what is worth time and effort.
Online tools that the team uses are worth the investment if they save time.
Related vocabulary
Lindsay and Michelle share some other ways to say something is extremely expensive.
You can use these alternatives in the workplace as well.
#1: Out of the budget
This is used to express that what you’re spending is not what is expected or planned.
There are many versions of this expression.
Some may say, “It’s not within our or the budget.”
Example:
Unfortunately, it’s out of our budget to make a new hire right now.
#2: Not cost-effective
This phrase is used to say that something is too expensive.
If something isn’t cost-effective, the value received is not equivalent to the expense.
Example:
It seems like a good strategy, but it’s not cost-effective. We will be paying much more for this than the previous software.
#3: Through the roof
This expression has a lot of imagery.
It will help to imagine a stack of something that is even higher than the roof of a building.
This is a good expression for saying something is expensive.
Example:
The prices are through the roof! I don’t understand. I’ll give them a call.
#4: Exorbitant
This means unreasonably high and has a negative connotation.
It means something is so expensive that it feels excessive to spend that much.
Example:
The quote was exorbitant! We will just have to tell them no.
Roleplay
Lindsay and Michelle share a roleplay using the vocabulary and expressions from today’s discussion.
This will help you better understand how to apply the phrases shared in a typical workplace conversation.
In this scenario, Lindsay and Michelle are going over the budget for the upcoming year.
Michelle: Okay, so it looks like we have some extra room in our budget for marketing this year. Should we look into hiring someone new to work on this?
Lindsay: I just don’t know if it’s cost-effective. Marketing agencies are charging an arm and a leg right now.
Michelle: That’s true. I have heard that prices are through the roof.
Lindsay: Exactly. I got one quote and it was exorbitant. No chance.
Michelle: Yeah, if it’s not within our budget, then we will find another way.
Lindsay: Okay great.
Takeaway
Discussing what you think is expensive is an interesting conversation topic.
With today’s vocabulary, you have interesting phrases to engage in this topic.
It will help you make better connections to use descriptive ways to talk about how costly something is.
Check out Business English episode 457: All Sorts of Great English Expressions.
This episode is full of interesting English expressions.
