Meaning of ‘An Arm and a Leg’
The idiom ‘an arm and a leg’ refers to something that is expensive. This phrase implies that the cost attached to something is too high or unreasonably steep, therefore it’s not worth the price. The high fee is likened to the worth of a literal arm and leg, which are vital parts of the human body.
Example: The repairs on my car ended up costing me an arm and a leg, but it was necessary for my upcoming road trip.
Similar Phrases: costs a fortune, costs a pretty penny, pay through the nose
Related Idioms:
Interested in exploring more idioms that start with the letter A? Check out our Common Idioms Starting With A page for a list of them.
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 pricy expense. 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 ‘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
Let’s look at a few usage cases for this common idiom:
Example Sentences:
1. He wanted to buy a silver watch, but it would cost him an arm and a leg, so he decided against it.
2. They had to pay an arm and a leg on medical expenses.
3. The whole process of replacing their water heater would cost their arms and legs.
Example Sentences Using Similar Idioms:
1. We have to buy a new TV since our old one broke, but it’s gonna cost a fortune!
2. My favorite eatery has significantly upped the prices recently, so everything costs a pretty penny now.
3. Something bad happened to my kitchen sink and I had to pay through the nose to fix it.