Meaning:
The phrase ‘costs an arm and leg’ is used to describe anything that is considered to be extremely expensive or excessively pricey.
If a person thinks the cost of something is unreasonably high, they might use this common idiom to describe the price.
Synonyms / Similar Phrases:
1. Costs a pretty penny
2. A small fortune
3. Nothing to sneeze at
The Origin of ‘An Arm And a Leg’
The origin of this phrase is unclear. There are, however, a few theories as to where it may have come from:
One theory is that this saying originated from the early 20th century, possibly during one of the major World Wars. The idea being that soldiers, because of their heavy involvement in war and being in the line of fire, can possibly lose a hand, foot, leg, or arm. Thus, the war would literally cost the person their arm or leg, which is a high price to pay.
Another theory is that this phrase may simply derive from older expressions that also use the terms ‘arms’ and ‘legs’ as ways to describe a high cost. For example, there’s an expression that goes ‘I would give my right arm’ that dates back to at least the late 18th century. An early example of this is written in a magazine called The Lady’s Magazine: Or Entertaining Companion for the Fair Sex, Appropriated Solely to Their Use and Amusement, 1790, and it reads:
“This is my sole desire—my only passion; and in order to gratify it, I would give my right arm, and my entire fortune.”
Thus, perhaps the phrase ‘costs an arm and leg’ derives from older, similar expressions like the one mentioned above. Whatever the case, the earliest citation I could find for this particular phrase being used in writing is around the mid-20th century. For example, in the comic section of a Long Beach Independent newspaper, 1951, a narrator from one of the comics says:
“It cost them an arm and a leg to fix up a rumpus room for junior!”
Example Sentences
Here is a sample of this idiom used in a sentence:
- Buying a brand new car is so expensive, it is going to cost us an arm and a leg. Maybe we should ride bikes or take the bus to work instead in order to save money.
Tip: Learn the meaning and origin of more popular phrases here on Know Your Phrase. Don’t worry, it won’t cost you an arm or leg.
