Doesn't cost an arm and a leg 🖐️🦵💰
Meaning
Something is very expensive.
Origin
This idiom likely emerged during World War II, a period when the loss of limbs in combat was a grim reality. Families worried about their loved ones serving overseas, and the idea of sacrificing an arm or a leg became a powerful, visceral metaphor for extreme cost. So, if something was so expensive it felt like you'd have to give up a vital body part, the phrase captured that sense of unmanageable expense. It was a dark but effective way to describe prohibitive prices in a world already acquainted with high stakes.
Doesn't cost an arm and a leg represented with emoji🖐️🦵💰
This playful arrangement of hand, leg, and money bag doesn't just show a literal interpretation, but rather functions as a cheeky commentary on value. Note how the seemingly simple set of icons echoes the familiar idiom, subverting the notion of affordability through a whimsical visual metaphor. It serves as a delightful reminder that sometimes, the things we desire truly do command a high price, even if only in our imagination.
Examples
- I was expecting this new phone to cost an arm and a leg, but it was surprisingly affordable.
- She found a beautiful vintage dress at the thrift store that didn't cost an arm and a leg.
- Even though the dragon's hoard was rumoured to be guarded by fierce beasts, the treasure itself doesn't cost an arm and a leg… just a few well-aimed riddles.
- Buying a ticket to the annual cloud-dancing festival might sound outrageous, but thankfully, it doesn't cost an arm and a leg, only a song and a giggle.
Frequently asked questions
No, 'doesn't cost an arm and a leg' is an idiomatic expression and not meant to be taken literally. It's a figurative way to say something is very expensive, implying a cost so high it would feel like a significant sacrifice.
A common opposite of 'doesn't cost an arm and a leg' is 'it's a steal' or 'it costs next to nothing.' These phrases signify something that is very cheap or a bargain.
No, the phrase 'doesn't cost an arm and a leg' means the exact opposite; it signifies that something is very expensive. The idiom uses hyperbole to emphasize a high price, not a low one.
The exact originator of 'doesn't cost an arm and a leg' is unknown, but it gained popularity during and after World War II. Its grim wartime context likely contributed to its visceral meaning of extreme expense.