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avere un prezzo esorbitante
/aˈveː.re un ˈpret.t͡so eˈzɔr.bi.tan.te/
to cost an arm and a leg
Questo ristorante ha un prezzo esorbitante per una pizza.
This restaurant charges an arm and a leg for a pizza.
informal
To have an excessively high cost, far beyond what is reasonable or justified.
I vestiti di marca hanno sempre un prezzo esorbitante.
Designer clothes always cost an arm and a leg.
Il biglietto del concerto aveva un prezzo esorbitante.
The concert ticket was priced outrageously.
Used to describe prices that are disproportionately high, often in a critical or exaggerated tone.
Collocations
Related Phrases
Pro Tip
When to use 'avere un prezzo esorbitante'
Use this phrase when criticizing prices that seem unfairly high, especially for goods or services that should be more affordable. It’s less formal than 'prezzo eccessivo' but more vivid than 'prezzo alto'.
Gold Rule
Avoid literal translation
Do not translate 'avere un prezzo esorbitante' word-for-word as 'to have an exorbitant price'. Instead, use idiomatic English like 'to cost an arm and a leg' or 'to be outrageously expensive'.
Word Origin
The phrase combines 'avere' (to have) with 'prezzo' (price) and 'esorbitante' (exorbitant, from Latin 'exorbitare' meaning 'to deviate from the usual path'). The adjective 'esorbitante' entered Italian in the 17th century, derived from the astronomical sense of 'deviating from the orbit'.
Usage Notes
Commonly used in everyday speech to express dissatisfaction with high prices. Often appears in consumer complaints or comparisons between affordable and luxury goods/services.
Word Breakdown
avere
to have
verbun prezzo
a price
noun phraseesorbitante
exorbitant, excessive
adjectiveDizionario Italiano-Inglese