Meaning: To be very expensive
Hindi: बहुत महंगा होना
Synonyms: expensive, costly, pricey, exorbitant
Antonyms: cheap, affordable, inexpensive
Asked in: SSC CPO 2024 T-1 · SSC CPO 2024 T-2 · SSC CHSL 2024 T-1 · SSC MTS 2023 · SSC CPO 2022 T-2 · SSC CHSL 2020 T-1
cost an arm and a leg in SSC previous-year questions
- SSC CPO 2024 T-1 Idioms & Phrases
Select the most appropriate idiom that can substitute the underlined segment in the given sentence.
Popular cosmetics brands in India are very expensive.Answer & explanation
Answer: C) cost an arm and a leg
The correct idiom to substitute the underlined segment "very expensive" in the sentence is:
"cost an arm and a leg."
This idiom means something is very expensive or costs a lot of money.
Corrected sentence:
"Popular cosmetics brands in India cost an arm and a leg."
Explanation of other options:
• Up in arms: Being very upset or angry about something.
• Flog a dead horse: To waste effort on something that has no chance of succeeding.
• Take it with a pinch of salt: To not take something too seriously or literally. - SSC CPO 2022 T-2 Idioms & Phrases
Choose the correct meaning of the underlined idiom in the given sentence.
The trip to Europe cost us an arm and a leg!Answer & explanation
Answer: D) Was very expensive
Explanation:
The idiom "cost an arm and a leg" means:
• Something is extremely expensive or costs a lot of money.
In the given sentence, it suggests that the trip to Europe was very costly.
Correct meaning: Was very expensive ✅ - SSC CPO 2024 T-2 Idioms & Phrases
Select the most appropriate option to fill in the blank and complete the given idiom.
Cost an arm and a __________
(SSC CPO 2024 T-2 (30 April))Answer & explanation
Answer: C) leg
Solution:
• The correct idiom is "cost an arm and a leg", which means something is extremely expensive.
• It is a commonly used English expression referring to a very high cost or price.
Correct Sentence:
This designer handbag cost an arm and a leg.
Correct Option:
(3) leg - SSC CHSL 2024 T-1 Idioms & Phrases
Select the most appropriate meaning of the given idiom.
Cost an arm and a leg
(SSC CHSL 2024 T-1 (01-July Shift 4))Answer & explanation
Answer: A) To be very expensive
The most appropriate meaning of the idiom "cost an arm and a leg" is "To be very expensive."
Explanation:
• The idiom "cost an arm and a leg" means that something is very costly, often implying that the price is high to the point of being unreasonable or difficult to afford.
The other options are incorrect because:
• "To be inexpensive" is the opposite of what the idiom means.
• "To be moderately priced" and "To be affordable" both suggest a lower price, which does not match the meaning of the idiom.
Thus, the correct answer is "To be very expensive." - SSC CHSL 2024 T-1 Idioms & Phrases
Select the most appropriate meaning of the given idiom.
To cost an arm and a leg
(SSC CHSL 2024 T-1 (05-July Shift 1))Answer & explanation
Answer: D) Something is very expensive
Correct Answer: Something is very expensive
Explanation:
The idiom “to cost an arm and a leg” means that something is extremely expensive or overpriced.
Let’s examine the options:
• Someone is badly hurt – incorrect; too literal.
• Someone has borne losses – unrelated to the idiom’s actual meaning.
• Someone does not have money to buy something – incorrect; this describes a person's financial state, not the cost.
• Something is very expensive – ✅ correct meaning of the idiom.
✅ Therefore, “to cost an arm and a leg” means something is very expensive. - SSC CHSL 2024 T-1 Idioms & Phrases
Select the most appropriate meaning of the given idiom.
Costing an arm and a leg
(SSC CHSL 2024 T-1 (10-July Shift 4))Answer & explanation
Answer: C) Very costly and luxurious
Correct Answer: Very costly and luxurious
Explanation:
The idiom "costing an arm and a leg" means something is very expensive or costly.
Let’s evaluate the options:
• Very entertaining and jovial – Incorrect; unrelated meaning.
• Very attractive and cheap – Incorrect; opposite meaning.
• Very costly and luxurious – ✅ Correct; matches the idiom’s meaning.
• Very rough and tough – Incorrect; unrelated meaning.
So, the idiom "costing an arm and a leg" means very costly and luxurious.
Examples
- “That designer bag cost an arm and a leg.”
cost an arm and a leg – questions
What is the meaning of cost an arm and a leg in Hindi?
cost an arm and a leg means “बहुत महंगा होना” in Hindi. In English: To be very expensive
What are the synonyms of cost an arm and a leg?
Synonyms of cost an arm and a leg: expensive, costly, pricey, exorbitant.
What is the opposite of cost an arm and a leg?
Antonyms of cost an arm and a leg: cheap, affordable, inexpensive.
Has cost an arm and a leg been asked in SSC exams?
Yes – cost an arm and a leg has been asked 9 times in SSC exams: SSC CPO 2024 T-1, SSC CPO 2024 T-2, SSC CHSL 2024 T-1, SSC MTS 2023, SSC CPO 2022 T-2, SSC CHSL 2020 T-1.