In the USA, people often use colorful phrases to talk about prices. Instead of saying something simply “costs a lot,” Americans like to use idioms that make the meaning stronger or more interesting. These idioms help paint a picture so listeners can easily understand how expensive something really is. You might hear them in stores, on TV, or even when friends are talking about the latest gadgets, cars, or vacation spots.
Learning idioms about expensive things can make conversations more fun and natural. They add personality to everyday speech and help you express feelings about high prices in a creative way. In this article, we’ll look at many common idioms Americans use to describe expensive items, see what they mean, and learn how to use them in real-life situations.
Idioms About Expensive
1. Cost an arm and a leg
Meaning: Very expensive.
Example Sentence:
• That designer bag cost an arm and a leg.
• The new car cost him an arm and a leg.
Other ways to say: Very pricey, way too expensive
Fun Fact/Origin: This idiom dates back to the 20th century and is thought to mean something so costly it’s like giving up parts of your body.
Usage: Used when talking about something that is much more expensive than expected in the USA.
2. Break the bank
Meaning: To cost more than you can afford.
Example Sentence:
• Going to that fancy restaurant will break the bank.
• Buying a new truck might break the bank.
Other ways to say: Drain your wallet, spend too much
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from gambling, meaning to win so much money the bank can’t pay, later used to mean spending too much.
Usage: Common in American conversations about big purchases.
3. Pay through the nose
Meaning: To pay a very high price.
Example Sentence:
• We paid through the nose for concert tickets.
• He paid through the nose for that rare baseball card.
Other ways to say: Overpay, spend too much
Fun Fact/Origin: Believed to come from 17th century England, where high taxes were described this way.
Usage: Used when you have to pay much more than normal.
4. Highway robbery
Meaning: A price that is so high it feels like stealing.
Example Sentence:
• The price for popcorn at the theater is highway robbery.
• Charging that much for parking is highway robbery.
Other ways to say: A rip-off, overpriced
Fun Fact/Origin: Refers to robbers who attacked travelers on highways in the past.
Usage: Used when complaining about unfairly high prices in the USA.
5. Worth its weight in gold
Meaning: Extremely valuable.
Example Sentence:
• Good advice from a mentor is worth its weight in gold.
• That old guitar is worth its weight in gold to a collector.
Other ways to say: Highly valuable, priceless
Fun Fact/Origin: Gold has always been a symbol of great value.
Usage: Used for both expensive and priceless things.
6. Shell out
Meaning: To spend a lot of money unwillingly.
Example Sentence:
• We had to shell out a lot for the repairs.
• He shelled out big bucks for his gaming setup.
Other ways to say: Fork out, cough up
Fun Fact/Origin: First used in America in the 1800s, comparing money to shells being handed out.
Usage: Common in casual U.S. speech.
7. Big bucks
Meaning: A lot of money.
Example Sentence:
• She makes big bucks as a lawyer.
• It takes big bucks to live in New York City.
Other ways to say: A lot of cash, serious money
Fun Fact/Origin: Popularized in the USA in the mid-20th century.
Usage: Informal way to say something costs or earns a lot.
8. Top dollar
Meaning: The highest price paid for something.
Example Sentence:
• They paid top dollar for that vintage car.
• He got top dollar when he sold his rare comic book.
Other ways to say: Premium price, the most money
Fun Fact/Origin: Common in American English since the early 1900s.
Usage: Often used for rare or high-demand items.
9. A pretty penny
Meaning: A lot of money.
Example Sentence:
• That trip to Hawaii cost a pretty penny.
• She spent a pretty penny on her wedding dress.
Other ways to say: Expensive, high-priced
Fun Fact/Origin: First used in the 18th century to mean a large sum.
Usage: Used for costly items or events in the USA.
10. Spend a fortune
Meaning: Spend a huge amount of money.
Example Sentence:
• He spent a fortune on home renovations.
• They spent a fortune on their daughter’s education.
Other ways to say: Pay a lot, drop a bundle
Fun Fact/Origin: “Fortune” refers to a very large amount of wealth.
Usage: Common in discussions about big expenses.
11. Pay top price
Meaning: To pay the most for something.
Example Sentence:
• He paid top price for that rare coin.
• We paid top price for front-row seats.
Other ways to say: Pay the maximum, highest rate
Fun Fact/Origin: A variation of “top dollar,” meaning paying the best possible price to get the best item.
Usage: Often used for special purchases in the USA.
12. Live beyond your means
Meaning: Spend more money than you can afford.
Example Sentence:
• Using credit cards for luxury items means living beyond your means.
• They are living beyond their means with that new car.
Other ways to say: Overspend, outspend your budget
Fun Fact/Origin: Popular financial advice phrase in American English.
Usage: Common in money management talks.
13. Cost a small fortune
Meaning: To be very expensive.
Example Sentence:
• That designer watch cost a small fortune.
• It costs a small fortune to study abroad.
Other ways to say: Very costly, high-priced
Fun Fact/Origin: A softer version of “spend a fortune.”
Usage: Used when something is pricey but not outrageous.
14. Price tag shock
Meaning: Surprise at how expensive something is.
Example Sentence:
• I had price tag shock when I saw the cost of that jacket.
• The price tag shock was real when we saw the bill.
Other ways to say: Sticker shock, shocked at the price
Fun Fact/Origin: Similar to “sticker shock,” a term popular in the U.S. car market.
Usage: Common for unexpected high prices.
15. Drop a bundle
Meaning: Spend a large sum of money.
Example Sentence:
• They dropped a bundle on that RV.
• He dropped a bundle on his fishing gear.
Other ways to say: Spend a lot, shell out big money
Fun Fact/Origin: “Bundle” refers to a bundle of cash.
Usage: Informal American phrase.
16. Bleed someone dry
Meaning: To take all someone’s money.
Example Sentence:
• The rent is bleeding me dry.
• That repair shop will bleed you dry if you’re not careful.
Other ways to say: Drain someone’s wallet, overcharge
Fun Fact/Origin: First recorded in the 1500s, compared to draining blood.
Usage: Used when prices or bills take all your money.
17. Burn a hole in your pocket
Meaning: Money that you can’t stop spending.
Example Sentence:
• His bonus is burning a hole in his pocket.
• That gift card burned a hole in her pocket.
Other ways to say: Eager to spend, quick to use money
Fun Fact/Origin: First appeared in the USA in the early 1900s.
Usage: Often for impulsive spending.
18. Pay an armload
Meaning: Pay a very high price.
Example Sentence:
• They paid an armload for that antique table.
• He paid an armload for the latest phone.
Other ways to say: Pay a lot, high cost
Fun Fact/Origin: A variation of “cost an arm and a leg.”
Usage: Rare, but still understood in American English.
19. Pricier than gold
Meaning: More expensive than valuable gold.
Example Sentence:
• This medication feels pricier than gold.
• Those VIP tickets are pricier than gold.
Other ways to say: Over the top expensive, overly costly
Fun Fact/Origin: Gold has been the standard of wealth for centuries.
Usage: Used for exaggerating cost in the USA.
20. Go for a song (ironic)
Meaning: Usually cheap, but ironic when something is overpriced.
Example Sentence:
• They said it went for a song, but it drained my savings.
• That “bargain” car went for a song—sure.
Other ways to say: Not really cheap, pretend bargain
Fun Fact/Origin: “Go for a song” means cheap, but Americans sometimes flip it sarcastically.
Usage: Used humorously about overpriced things.
21. Spend money like water
Meaning: Spend freely and quickly.
Example Sentence:
• He spends money like water on vacations.
• They spend money like water at the mall.
Other ways to say: Waste money, splurge
Fun Fact/Origin: Common in English since the 19th century.
Usage: Common in American family budgeting talks.
22. Out of your price range
Meaning: Too expensive for you.
Example Sentence:
• That car is way out of my price range.
• The house is beautiful but out of their price range.
Other ways to say: Too costly, can’t afford
Fun Fact/Origin: Popular in American real estate and shopping.
Usage: Straightforward phrase for something too pricey.
23. Pay a king’s ransom
Meaning: Pay a huge amount of money.
Example Sentence:
• They paid a king’s ransom for that rare painting.
• He paid a king’s ransom for front-row Super Bowl seats.
Other ways to say: Pay a fortune, huge expense
Fun Fact/Origin: Refers to ransoms once paid to free captured royalty.
Usage: Often used for rare and luxury items.
24. Luxury price tag
Meaning: Very expensive price.
Example Sentence:
• That sports car comes with a luxury price tag.
• Even the coffee shop had a luxury price tag on drinks.
Other ways to say: High-end cost, premium pricing
Fun Fact/Origin: Popular in marketing for high-end brands in the USA.
Usage: Used when prices match luxury branding.
25. Sky-high prices
Meaning: Extremely high prices.
Example Sentence:
• Gas prices are sky-high right now.
• Hotel prices are sky-high during the holidays.
Other ways to say: Overpriced, inflated prices
Fun Fact/Origin: “Sky-high” has meant “very high” since the 1800s.
Usage: Common in American news about costs.
26. Too rich for my blood
Meaning: Too expensive for you to afford.
Example Sentence:
• That restaurant is too rich for my blood.
• The auction prices were too rich for my blood.
Other ways to say: Out of budget, overpriced
Fun Fact/Origin: First recorded in American slang in the 20th century.
Usage: Informal, often about luxury items.
27. Beyond my budget
Meaning: Costs more than you have to spend.
Example Sentence:
• That vacation is beyond my budget.
• Those shoes are beyond my budget.
Other ways to say: Out of reach, too costly
Fun Fact/Origin: Common U.S. budgeting term.
Usage: Everyday American shopping language.
28. Make your wallet cry
Meaning: To cost so much it hurts financially.
Example Sentence:
• That repair bill will make your wallet cry.
• The monthly rent makes my wallet cry.
Other ways to say: Hurt your finances, cost a lot
Fun Fact/Origin: Humorous American phrase comparing cost to emotional pain.
Usage: Informal, often in friendly conversation.
29. Gold-plated
Meaning: Overly expensive, especially for show.
Example Sentence:
• That gold-plated phone is unnecessary.
• The hotel’s gold-plated service comes at a price.
Other ways to say: Overpriced luxury, showy expense
Fun Fact/Origin: From items literally coated with gold to make them look valuable.
Usage: Used for things that are fancy but overpriced.
30. Pay dearly
Meaning: Pay a high price, literally or figuratively.
Example Sentence:
• We paid dearly for that last-minute trip.
• He paid dearly for missing the sale.
Other ways to say: Suffer the cost, overpay
Fun Fact/Origin: Dates back to 16th century English.
Usage: Works for both money and consequences.
31. Bank-busting
Meaning: So expensive it could empty your bank account.
Example Sentence:
• Those tickets are bank-busting.
• The rent in that city is bank-busting.
Other ways to say: Over the top expensive, costly
Fun Fact/Origin: Modern American slang based on “break the bank.”
Usage: Informal, popular in online reviews.
32. Money pit
Meaning: Something that keeps costing more and more.
Example Sentence:
• That old house is a money pit.
• My car has turned into a money pit.
Other ways to say: Endless expense, constant cost
Fun Fact/Origin: Common in U.S. home and car repairs.
Usage: Used for ongoing expensive problems.
33. Pricey
Meaning: Expensive.
Example Sentence:
• That restaurant is a bit pricey.
• The shoes are nice but pricey.
Other ways to say: Costly, high-priced
Fun Fact/Origin: Became common in U.S. slang in the 1900s.
Usage: Everyday American word for expensive.
34. Premium price
Meaning: Higher than average price.
Example Sentence:
• They charge a premium price for organic food.
• Premium prices come with luxury cars.
Other ways to say: High-end cost, extra charge
Fun Fact/Origin: Used in marketing to show exclusivity.
Usage: Common in U.S. advertising.
35. A steal (ironic)
Meaning: Usually means a great deal, but used sarcastically for overpriced things.
Example Sentence:
• $20 for a hot dog? What a steal.
• That $50 parking fee was a real steal.
Other ways to say: Rip-off, overpriced
Fun Fact/Origin: Usually positive, but Americans flip it sarcastically.
Usage: Casual, humorous complaint.
Quiz: Idioms About Expensive
Instructions: Choose the correct answer for each question. Only one answer is correct.
Question Key
1. If something “costs an arm and a leg,” it means:
A) It’s very cheap
B) It’s very expensive
C) It’s free
2. When someone says “break the bank,” they mean:
A) Spending more money than they can afford
B) Earning a lot of money quickly
C) Keeping money in the bank
3. “Highway robbery” describes:
A) A fair and reasonable price
B) A price so high it feels like stealing
C) A discount at a store
4. If a car has “sky-high prices,” that means:
A) The prices are extremely high
B) The prices are very low
C) The prices are only in the middle range
5. “Big bucks” means:
A) A small amount of money
B) A lot of money
C) Money that is fake
6. If something is “too rich for my blood,” it means:
A) It is too expensive for me
B) I like it a lot
C) It is very cheap
7. “Worth its weight in gold” means:
A) It’s very valuable
B) It’s cheap but shiny
C) It’s only worth a little
8. If you “drop a bundle,” you:
A) Spend a lot of money
B) Lose a small item
C) Find extra cash
9. “Money pit” is used for something that:
A) Always costs more and more money
B) Gives you extra money
C) Holds coins
10. “Premium price” means:
A) A lower price than normal
B) A price higher than average
C) A free giveaway
11. If something is “bank-busting,” it is:
A) Cheap and affordable
B) So expensive it could empty your bank account
C) Something you get at a bank
12. “Pay through the nose” means:
A) Pay a very high price
B) Pay only with coins
C) Pay very slowly
13. If someone says “That’s a steal” sarcastically, they mean:
A) It’s overpriced
B) It’s an amazing bargain
C) It’s free
Answer Key
- B) It’s very expensive
- A) Spending more money than they can afford
- B) A price so high it feels like stealing
- A) The prices are extremely high
- B) A lot of money
- A) It is too expensive for me
- A) It’s very valuable
- A) Spend a lot of money
- A) Always costs more and more money
- B) A price higher than average
- B) So expensive it could empty your bank account
- A) Pay a very high price
- A) It’s overpriced
Wrapping Up
Idioms about expensive things make conversations in the USA more colorful and expressive. Instead of simply saying something costs a lot, Americans often use phrases like “cost an arm and a leg” or “break the bank” to paint a clear picture. These sayings can add humor, drama, or style to everyday speech.
Learning these idioms can also help you understand jokes, ads, and casual talks in the USA. Next time you hear someone complain about “sky-high prices” or call their old car a “money pit,” you’ll know exactly what they mean — and maybe you’ll start using these phrases yourself.
