Modul 4: Idiom 08: Costs an Arm and a Leg

Costs an Arm and a Leg

Hi. Let’s take a look at the Idiom, ‘It costs an arm and a leg.’ What does this mean? Did I forget my credit card at the shops one day and have to pay for my groceries using my own limbs – arms and legs? Of course not. When something is said to have cost ‘an arm and a leg’ it means it was very expensive. I’m never shopping in that fancy shop again, it costs an arm and a leg in there! Next time I’ll go back to the regular supermarket where it is cheaper.

So what is the origin of this idiom?

Back in the 18th Century cameras and mobile phones didn’t exist. There was no such thing as a  ‘selfie’. Instead, important people (like President George Washington) would have had to hire a painter to paint a portrait of them. The strange thing about this however was the pricing. The cost of the painting would increase depending on how many limbs (arms or legs) were in the portrait. This is why people would often be painted with one arm behind their back, or stood behind a desk, it was to save money! So, if somebody wanted a portrait that included both arms and both legs, it would cost them, an arm and a leg!

Take a look at our illustration.

Can you spot the difference? In this drawing, we can see two portraits of the same lady. In one portrait she has arms and legs, and in the other, she has none. They both have price tags on them but which one is more expensive? The portrait of the woman with her limbs included is more expensive.

Here are some examples before we go to the concept questions…

“Ever Since I moved in with my girlfriend, the groceries have cost me an arm and a leg.”

“It’ll cost an arm and a leg if you want the tattoo to stretch across your entire back.”

“My car broke down so I had to get a taxi all the way here. It cost me an arm and a leg!”

“Let’s just go home and eat there, it costs an arm and a leg to eat here.”

“Could I get an advance on my paycheck? (You know, an earlier payment?) The rent is costing me an arm and a leg.”

Great.

Let’s look at some situations and check your understanding:

1. I crashed my car the other day and it was bad! It took a whole month to fix. Do you think it was cheap, or did it cost an arm and a leg ? Well, it cost me an arm and a leg.

    

    

2. Where do you think beer costs an arm and a leg, in Central London or on the outskirts of London? The beer is much more expensive in Central London. It often costs an arm and a leg there.

    

    

3. My brother has a wife but no children. They love travelling during the high season-  the time of year that is busiest and fully packed with tourists, but they are very cautious about spending and always find the most economical accommodation. Does the holiday cost them an arm and a leg? Accommodation in the high season often costs an arm and a leg, but not for my brother: he goes for the cheap one.

    

    

4. I have to buy a house that needs a lot of building work done, but I will do everything by myself. Will it cost me an arm and a leg? No, because I won’t pay for work only for materials.

    

    

5. Would it cost me an arm and a leg if I were to buy a loaf of bread and make my own sandwiches each day rather than buying lunch at work? No. I would save money if I stopped eating out every day.

Great. Now go and practise. See you soon.