How Do You Spell COSTING AN ARM AND A LEG?

1. The phrase "costing an arm and a leg" is an idiomatic expression that is used to describe something as being exorbitantly expensive or requiring a great deal of money. It is a figurative way to emphasize the high cost of a particular item or service by implying that it is so expensive that it would take a significant sacrifice to afford it, such as giving up a limb.

   The phrase is believed to have originated in the mid-20th century, possibly during the time of World War II when amputations were relatively common due to injuries sustained in combat. While it is uncertain how exactly the correlation between amputation and high cost was made, it is assumed that losing an arm or a leg would require considerable monetary resources to adapt to a new way of life or procure a prosthetic limb.

   This idiom is commonly used in informal conversation and writing to convey the idea of something being excessively pricey. It is often employed to express astonishment or dismay at the steep price of an item or service. For example, "The designer watch he wanted to buy was costing him an arm and a leg, so he decided to save up for it instead." In this context, the phrase showcases the extravagant expense associated with acquiring the desired luxury item and implies that it would be a significant financial sacrifice to obtain it.

Common Misspellings for COSTING AN ARM AND A LEG