An arm and a leg
Meaning
To cost an arm and a leg means something is extremely expensive.
Origin
The phrase 'an arm and a leg' crystallizes the profound personal sacrifice of war, gaining its vivid currency in the aftermath of World War II. As soldiers returned home, many having endured life-altering injuries and literally lost limbs, the brutal cost of conflict was starkly apparent. This pervasive understanding of ultimate sacrifice, of giving up irreplaceable parts of oneself, transmuted into a powerful metaphor for exorbitant monetary expense. A price that now 'costs an arm and a leg' demands a payment as devastating and irreplaceable as a soldier's lost limb, forever linking extreme financial outlay to the profound human toll of battle.
Examples
- Buying that new sports car would cost an arm and a leg, so I decided to go with a more practical option.
- The remodel of their kitchen ended up costing an arm and a leg, but they were thrilled with the results.