cost

cost the earth

To be exorbitant or burdensome in expense. A: "Your new car looks pretty slick!" B: "I should hope so, it cost the earth!" All these new taxes and service charges are going to cost the earth.

cost (someone) dearly

To cause dire, harmful, or problematic consequences for someone, especially regarding a foolish action or a mistake. Drinking all night before his final exams is going to cost him dearly. That late penalty could cost them dearly, as it now puts their opponents within range to tie the game.

king's ransom

A very large sum of money. I've always wanted to vacation in Hawaii, but the plane tickets cost a king's ransom.

and hang the cost

With no regard for the price. We have to get the roof fixed before the next storm, so call the contractor and hang the cost.

at all costs

In any way possible, regardless of risk or expense. Please, save my husband at all costs—I can't live without him! I hope my foot heals quickly—I try to avoid going to the doctor at all costs.

See also: all, cost

at any cost

In any way possible, regardless of risk or expense. Please, save my husband at any cost—I can't live without him! I hope my foot heals quickly—I try to avoid going to the doctor at any cost.

at all costs

and at any cost

Fig. regardless of the difficulty or cost; no matter what. I intend to have that car at all costs. Mary was going to get that job at any cost.

See also: all, cost

Civility costs nothing.

and Courtesy costs nothing.

Prov. It never hurts you to be polite. Always greet people politely, no matter what you think of them. Civility costs nothing. Why not write Mildred a thank-you note? Courtesy costs nothing.

cost a pretty penny

and cost an arm and a leg; cost the earth

Fig. to be expensive; to cost a lot of money. Mary's dress is real silk. It must have cost a pretty penny. Taking care of a fancy car like that can cost a pretty penny, let me tell you. It cost an arm and a leg, so I didn't buy it. A house that size with an ocean view must cost the earth!

cost something out

to figure out the total cost of some set of costs or a complex purchase of goods or services. Give me a minute to cost this out, and I will have an estimate for you. Do you have time to cost out these specifications this week?

estimate the cost at

(some amount) to approximate the cost of something at a particular amount. I estimate the cost at about one hundred dollars. The cost of repairing the car was estimated at over four thousand dollars!

*king's ransom

Fig. a great deal of money. (To pay an amount as large as one might have to pay to get back a king held for ransom. *Typically: cost ~; pay ~; spend~.) I would like to buy a nice watch, but I don't want to pay a king's ransom for it. It's a lovely house. I bet it cost a king's ransom.

at any cost

no matter how difficult at any price Even if I'm sure I am right, I will avoid an argument with most people at any cost.

Related vocabulary: at all costs

at all costs

no matter what dangers or difficulties are involved The country must defend its borders at all costs.

Related vocabulary: at any cost

See also: all, cost

cost a bomb

(informal)

to be very expensive Strawberries cost a bomb at this time of year.

cost (somebody) an arm and a leg

(informal)

to be very expensive These opera tickets cost us an arm and a leg!

cost (somebody) a pretty penny

to be very expensive That diamond ring must have cost him a pretty penny.

cost somebody dear

if something that someone does, especially something stupid, costs them dear, it causes them a lot of problems Later that year he attacked a photographer, an incident that cost him dear.

See count the cost, and hang the cost

at all costs

if something must be done or avoided at all costs, it must be done or avoided whatever happens The only other option is working on Saturdays which is something I want to avoid at all costs. He appears to have decided that he must stay in power at all costs.

See also: all, cost

count the cost

to start to understand how badly something has affected you I didn't read the contract fully before I signed it but I'm counting the cost now.

and hang the cost/expense

if you say that you will do or have something and hang the cost, you mean that you will spend whatever is necessary I thought for once in our lives let's treat ourselves really well and hang the cost.

at all costs

Also, at any cost or price . Regardless of the expense or effort involved, by any means. For example, Ann told the doctor to preserve her mother's sight at all costs, or It seems the company plans to develop the product at any cost, or I'm determined to get vacation time at any price. [Mid-1800s]

See also: all, cost

at any cost

Also, at any price. See at all costs.

king's ransom

A huge sum of money, as in That handmade rug must have cost a king's ransom. This metaphoric expression originally referred to the sum required to release a king from captivity. [Late 1400s]

at all costs

Regardless of the expense or effort involved; by any means.

See also: all, cost

Common Names:

Name	Pronounced	Usage
Mahomet	-	Arabic (Anglicized)
Sirius	SIR-ee-əs (English), SEER-ee-əs (English)	Astronomy
Grisha	-	Russian
Bulus	-	Arabic
Jaya	-	Hinduism, Tamil, Indian, Telugu, Hindi, Marathi
Britta	-	Swedish, Norwegian, Danish