When something is very expensive, it often comes with a price tag that’s higher than usual. People don’t always say directly that something costs a lot of money, but instead, they use idioms to express this. These idioms help convey the idea of high prices in a creative way. They make conversations more colorful and can sometimes even add a humorous twist to the situation.
In this article, we will explore idioms used to describe something that is expensive. Whether it’s an item, an experience, or an event, these idioms help express the idea of high cost without saying the price outright. By learning these expressions, you can speak more vividly about the cost of things and impress your friends with your knowledge of figurative language.
Idioms for Expensive
1. Gold Mine
Meaning: A very valuable or profitable source.
Samples: This antique shop is a gold mine for collectors. / He turned his idea into a gold mine with just a little investment.
To Put it Another Way: A place or thing that makes a lot of money. / A source of great wealth.
2. Cost an Arm and a Leg
Meaning: To be very expensive.
Samples: The new phone cost an arm and a leg, but it’s worth it. / Their vacation to Europe cost them an arm and a leg.
To Put it Another Way: Very costly. / Extremely expensive.
3. Out of Reach
Meaning: Too expensive to afford.
Samples: The designer dress was out of reach for most students. / That car is out of reach for my budget right now.
To Put it Another Way: Something that is unaffordable. / Too expensive for most people.
4. Break the Bank
Meaning: To use up all your money; to be very expensive.
Samples: The wedding reception really broke the bank. / Buying that new car will break the bank.
To Put it Another Way: To spend all your money. / To cost so much that it empties your savings.
5. Pay Through the Nose
Meaning: To pay an extremely high price.
Samples: They had to pay through the nose for the concert tickets. / We had to pay through the nose to get our car fixed.
To Put it Another Way: To pay a lot of money. / To spend far too much on something.
6. Rich as Croesus
Meaning: Very wealthy, often used to describe something expensive.
Samples: The billionaire is as rich as Croesus, owning mansions all over the world. / That diamond necklace is rich as Croesus.
To Put it Another Way: Extremely wealthy. / Having an immense amount of money.
7. In the Lap of Luxury
Meaning: Living in very expensive comfort and style.
Samples: After the big promotion, she’s now living in the lap of luxury. / Their vacation was spent in the lap of luxury at a five-star resort.
To Put it Another Way: In a very luxurious setting. / Living in great comfort and wealth.
8. Big Bucks
Meaning: A lot of money; very expensive.
Samples: That luxury watch costs big bucks. / He makes big bucks working as a lawyer.
To Put it Another Way: A large amount of money. / High-paying or costly.
9. Throw Money Around
Meaning: To spend money carelessly or lavishly.
Samples: They’ve been throwing money around, buying expensive gifts for everyone. / She loves to throw money around at designer stores.
To Put it Another Way: To spend money recklessly. / To spend freely without thinking about the cost.
10. Live High Off the Hog
Meaning: To live very comfortably, often with expensive items.
Samples: Since her promotion, she’s been living high off the hog with designer clothes. / He’s used to living high off the hog thanks to his rich parents.
To Put it Another Way: Living in luxury. / Enjoying an expensive lifestyle.
11. Cost a Pretty Penny
Meaning: To cost a large amount of money.
Samples: That new laptop cost a pretty penny. / The designer shoes cost a pretty penny, but they are worth it.
To Put it Another Way: To be expensive. / To require a significant amount of money.
12. Loaded with Cash
Meaning: Having a lot of money, often used to describe something expensive.
Samples: The luxury sports car is loaded with cash and features. / After his success, he’s now loaded with cash.
To Put it Another Way: Very wealthy. / Having a lot of money.
13. Fancy Pants
Meaning: Describes something or someone who is overly expensive or extravagant.
Samples: He always buys fancy pants suits for work. / She’s wearing fancy pants shoes to the party.
To Put it Another Way: Stylish and expensive. / Overly luxurious.
14. A Penny for Your Thoughts
Meaning: Sometimes used sarcastically to suggest someone’s ideas are worth a lot (or could cost a lot).
Samples: He wanted a penny for his thoughts after making the decision to buy the expensive boat. / That idea could be worth a penny for your thoughts, considering the cost.
To Put it Another Way: The idea is worth more than expected. / It’s something that could be valuable.
15. Worth Its Weight in Gold
Meaning: Something is very valuable, often implying it is expensive.
Samples: The rare antique book is worth its weight in gold. / This old painting is worth its weight in gold.
To Put it Another Way: Extremely valuable. / Something that is very expensive due to its rarity or worth.
16. In the Money
Meaning: Having a lot of money, or something that is very expensive.
Samples: He’s in the money after selling his business. / Their new house is in the money with a swimming pool and a theater room.
To Put it Another Way: To have a lot of money. / Something expensive or luxurious.
17. Spare No Expense
Meaning: To spend as much money as needed, without worrying about cost.
Samples: They spared no expense when planning the wedding. / The company spared no expense in upgrading its office.
To Put it Another Way: To spend without concern for cost. / To use all necessary resources to ensure quality.
18. High-End
Meaning: Expensive, luxurious, and of high quality.
Samples: They bought high-end furniture for their new home. / The hotel we stayed in was a high-end establishment.
To Put it Another Way: Top-quality and expensive. / Luxurious and premium.
19. Throw Good Money After Bad
Meaning: To continue to spend money on something that is already a lost cause, often implying it’s expensive.
Samples: He threw good money after bad by continuing to repair the old car. / Don’t throw good money after bad by trying to fix the broken phone.
To Put it Another Way: To waste money on something that’s not worth it. / To continue spending money even though it’s unlikely to succeed.
20. All That Glitters Is Not Gold
Meaning: Something that looks expensive or valuable may not be.
Samples: Just because the phone is expensive, don’t think it’s the best; all that glitters is not gold. / That luxurious house may not be as great as it looks; all that glitters is not gold.
To Put it Another Way: Appearances can be deceiving. / Not everything that looks valuable is worth it.
21. A Steep Price
Meaning: A very high cost.
Samples: The rent in this area comes with a steep price. / Buying tickets to the concert came at a steep price.
To Put it Another Way: Very expensive. / A cost that’s hard to pay.
22. Cost a Small Fortune
Meaning: To be very expensive.
Samples: That new suit cost a small fortune. / His education abroad cost a small fortune.
To Put it Another Way: To cost a lot. / A large amount of money for something.
23. Champagne Taste on a Beer Budget
Meaning: Wanting expensive things but not being able to afford them.
Samples: She has a champagne taste on a beer budget, always wanting the best but not having the money for it. / His champagne taste on a beer budget makes it hard to live within his means.
To Put it Another Way: Wanting luxury but only having a limited budget. / Desiring expensive items with little money.
24. On the Dole
Meaning: Describes someone who is financially struggling but might still spend on expensive things.
Samples: Even though he’s on the dole, he managed to buy an expensive new phone. / He spent money on clothes while being on the dole.
To Put it Another Way: Living on a limited income. / Receiving financial support but still spending freely.
25. Bigger Than Ben-Hur
Meaning: Something that is very grand, impressive, or expensive.
Samples: Their wedding reception was bigger than Ben-Hur, with luxury cars and an expensive venue. / The event was bigger than Ben-Hur, with lights and fireworks everywhere.
To Put it Another Way: Very grand and expensive. / Larger than life and costly.
26. Going for Broke
Meaning: To spend all of one’s money or resources on something.
Samples: She’s going for broke by buying all those luxury items. / He’s going for broke with his investments, hoping to make a fortune.
To Put it Another Way: To risk everything on one thing. / To spend all available resources.
27. A Silver Spoon in One’s Mouth
Meaning: To be born into wealth, or to always have expensive things.
Samples: He grew up with a silver spoon in his mouth, always enjoying the best. / She was born with a silver spoon in her mouth, surrounded by luxury.
To Put it Another Way: Born into wealth. / Always having expensive things.
28. Like Finding a Needle in a Haystack
Meaning: Something rare and valuable, often expensive.
Samples: A piece of art like that is like finding a needle in a haystack. / A gem of that quality is like finding a needle in a haystack.
To Put it Another Way: Something rare and hard to find. / Extremely valuable.
29. Big Ticket Item
Meaning: An expensive item or purchase.
Samples: That new car is a big ticket item. / The house renovation was a big-ticket item for them.
To Put it Another Way: Expensive purchases. / Costly items or investments.
30. Pay an Arm and a Leg
Meaning: To pay a very high price for something.
Samples: They paid an arm and a leg for those concert tickets. / He paid an arm and a leg for his vacation in Hawaii.
To Put it Another Way: To spend an excessive amount. / To pay a high price.
Find the Topics: Idioms for Expensive
Last weekend, Sarah went shopping with her friends at a fancy mall. As soon as they walked in, she noticed the high-end stores, each one selling something that cost a small fortune. They passed a store with a big sign, “Gold Mine Deals!” Sarah couldn’t resist and went inside. The bags in the store were worth their weight in gold, but they came with a steep price.
As Sarah looked at a beautiful handbag, her friend Lucy joked, “That’s a big ticket item right there.” Sarah smiled but knew it would cost an arm and a leg to buy it. She loved the handbag, but it was way out of her reach.
After a while, Sarah’s friends noticed she was getting quiet. “You’ve been eyeing that purse for a while,” said her friend Emma. “But I’m sure it would break the bank.” Sarah nodded, thinking about her budget. She couldn’t pay through the nose for just one item, but it sure was tempting.
As they walked to the food court, Lucy asked, “Why don’t you come with me to the clearance sale instead?” Sarah smiled, deciding to save her money. “I’ll stick to the sales,” she replied. “No reason to throw money around today.”
Your Task:
Can you find all 8 idioms related to “Expensive” in the story above? Underline or list them!
Answer Key
- Gold Mine Deals
- Worth its weight in gold
- Cost a small fortune
- Big ticket item
- Cost an arm and a leg
- Out of reach
- Break the bank
- Throw money around
Conclusion
Understanding idioms for “expensive” can make describing high prices more interesting and creative. These expressions help us convey the idea of costly items or experiences in a fun and engaging way. Whether you’re talking about a luxury shopping trip or an extravagant vacation, these idioms add color and personality to your language.
By learning and using these idioms, you can better express how much something costs without always stating the price directly. It also helps you communicate in a more lively and imaginative manner. Next time you’re discussing something pricey, try using one of these idioms to spice up your conversation!
