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.

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Similarly, where does the phrase an arm and a leg come from?

The exact origin of this idiom is unknown; however, most people believe that it started being used around the time of the First or Second World War. There were many soldiers who lost an arm and a leg during the war – this was a very high 'cost' to pay for their country!

Also Know, is an arm and a leg a metaphor? The expression “to cost an arm and a leg” is a metaphor about precious body parts. The phrase “cost an arm and a leg” begins to crop up in newspaper archives in 1901, referring to accidents and war injuries.

Furthermore, what does it mean to cost an arm and a leg?

phrase. If you say that something costs an arm and a leg, you mean that it is very expensive. [informal] A week at a health farm can cost an arm and a leg. Synonyms: a lot of money, a bomb [British, slang], a fortune, a pile [informal] More Synonyms of an arm and a leg.

What does leg mean slang?

LEG IT means "Run away" So now you know - LEG IT means "Run away" - don't thank us. YW! What does LEG IT mean? LEG IT is an acronym, abbreviation or slang word that is explained above where the LEG IT definition is given.

Related Question Answers

What is the meaning of when pigs fly?

The phrase 'When Pigs Fly' refers to something that is highly unlikely to ever happen. Example of use: “I might wake up early tomorrow to clean my room”. “Yes, you'll do that when pigs fly”.

What does it mean to be on your high horse?

You'll know if someone is on his high horse, because he will behave as though he's superior to everyone around him, almost like a haughty king riding his horse past his lowly subjects. The phrase high horse grew to mean "pompous or self-righteous" from there.

What does Elvis has left the building mean?

"Elvis has left the building" is a phrase that was often used by public address announcers at the conclusion of Elvis Presley concerts in order to disperse audiences who lingered in hopes of an encore. It has since become a catchphrase and punchline.

What does out of the blue mean?

Out of the blue is an English idiom meaning “suddenly and unexpectedly”. You can use it when you are surprised by something that was not expected to happen. For example, Yet another version of the idiom reveals what comes out of a clear blue sky. It is possible to say that something unexpected is a bolt from the blue.

What is the meaning of the idiom break a leg?

"Break a leg" is a typical English idiom used in theatre to wish a performer "good luck". The expression probably reflects a superstition (perhaps a theatrical superstition) in which directly wishing a person "good luck" would be considered bad luck, therefore an alternative way of wishing luck was developed.

WHO says none of your beeswax?

20th century In the 1930s, a slang version rendered the saying as "Mind your own beeswax". It is meant to soften the force of the retort. Folk etymology has it that this idiom was used in the colonial period when women would sit by the fireplace making wax candles together, though there are many other theories.

What is the meaning of a piece of cake?

The saying "a piece of cake" means something that's simple to accomplish. The Americanism cakewalk, used to mean "something easy," came first, in the 1860's — piece of cake wasn't used until around 1936. Both cake and pie have a long history in the United States as metaphors for things that come easily.

When Pigs Fly used in a sentence?

Example Sentences Come on, when pigs fly! I asked my boss if I could go on a two month vacation, he said yes, when pigs fly! I think he'll pay you back your money - when pigs fly. "I think I'll start working on my project from tomorrow." "Yes, and pigs might fly."

Is a piece of cake an idiom?

piece of cake. The saying "a piece of cake" means something that's simple to accomplish. If a school assignment is a piece of cake, it's so easy that you will barely have to think about it. The Americanism cakewalk, used to mean "something easy," came first, in the 1860's — piece of cake wasn't used until around 1936.

What does cross the bridge when you come to it mean?

Fig. to delay worrying about something that might happen until it actually does happen. (Usually used in the phrase, "Let's cross that bridge when we come to it," a way of telling someone not to worry about something that has not happened yet.

What does Straight out of the horse's mouth mean?

The phrase 'to hear something straight from the horse's mouth' means that you heard the information from someone who has personal knowledge on the spoken matter. Example in use: “I don't believe it that she did it. I'm going to go to ask her and hear it straight from the horse's mouth.”

How much is an arm?

Workers are awarded a portion of their wages up to the state maximum for the specified number of weeks assigned to each body part. But depending on those numbers, the final amounts can vary widely. The loss of an arm, for example, is worth up to $48,840 in Alabama, $193,950 in Ohio and $439,858 in Illinois.

What is an idiom example?

An idiom is a phrase or expression whose meaning can't be understood from the ordinary meanings of the words in it. For example, “Get off my back!” is an idiom meaning “Stop bothering me!” The idiom “You hit the nail on the head” means “You're exactly right.” Here are some other idioms you might use in your writing.

What does walking on Cloud 9 mean?

be on cloud nine - feel extreme happiness or elation. exult, jump for joy, walk on air. joy, rejoice - feel happiness or joy.

What does it mean to pay through the nose?

Pay through the nose is an idiom which means to pay more than something is worth, to pay an exorbitant price. The origin of the phrase pay through the nose is quite murky, though it seems to be associated in some way to the paying of taxes.

What does at the drop of a hat mean?

When you use the expression 'At the Drop of a Hat' you mean that something is. happening instantly, without any delay. Example of use: “We're all packed and ready to go; we can leave at the drop of a hat.”

What does let the cat out of the bag mean?

Letting the cat out of the bag. Letting the cat out of the bag or out of the box is a colloquialism meaning to reveal facts previously hidden. The facts were usually hidden from a specific target audience or theatrical audience. Examples include: revealing a conspiracy (friendly or not) to its target.

What does the idiom bite your tongue mean?

When you use the phrase 'Bite Your Tongue' you mean to keep quiet, particularly in. the event someone is saying something rude or unpleasant. Example of use: “I know you want to yell at him, but you'll just have to bite your tongue.”

What does an AXE to grind mean?

Axe to Grind. To have a grievance with someone, especially where one feels the need to seek damaging retribution. The phrase probably originates from the act of sharpening an axe with a grinding wheel, with the intent (in this definition) to get revenge on someone by maiming or killing them. ;)