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3. cost a pretty penny

cost a pretty penny

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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!

See also: cost, penny, pretty

cost (somebody) a pretty penny

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

See also: cost, penny, pretty