cost the earth

/kɒst ðə ˈɜːθ/◆idiom

extremely expensive

That designer handbag costs the earth!

The handbag is very expensive.

◆ What It Really Means

To be extremely expensive or costly

¶ Literal Meaning

To have a price equivalent to the value of the Earth

Literal Breakdown

costto have a price+the earththe planet Earth

◇ Mental Image

The mental image of the Earth being sold or priced, emphasizing its immense value and the idea that something is so expensive it's like buying the Earth itself.

◈ When to Use

A friend is complaining about the high cost of a new smartphone, and you respond, 'Yeah, those things cost the earth these days!'

◉ Cultural Note

This idiom reflects the human tendency to use hyperbolic comparisons to emphasize the high cost of something, comparing it to something of immense value, like the Earth.

informal

To be extremely expensive or costly

Buying a house in the city costs the earth these days.

Houses in the city are very expensive now.

Private school tuition costs the earth, but many parents pay it for better education.

Private school is very costly, but parents often pay for it.

This idiom is commonly used in informal contexts to emphasize the high cost of something.

to be very expensive

cost an arm and a legidiom

to be extremely expensive

Pro Tip

Usage Tip

Use 'cost the earth' when you want to emphasize that something is very expensive in a casual or exaggerated way.

Gold Rule

Correct Usage

This idiom is informal and should not be used in formal or professional contexts.

Word Origin

The phrase likely originates from the idea that the Earth is the most valuable thing imaginable, making it a metaphor for something extremely costly.

Usage Notes

This idiom is used to emphasize that something is very expensive, often in a slightly exaggerated or dramatic way. It is common in everyday conversation but not typically used in formal writing.

English Dictionary

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