Idioms for expensive things are fun phrases that mean something different from the literal words you see on the page. People use them every day to add color to their conversations and share feelings quickly. In this article, you will learn many helpful idioms related to expensive things, luxury items, and costing a lot of money.
In this lesson, we’ll look at Idioms that mean costing too much, being very pricey, and buying luxury items. Let’s get started and explore some of these helpful expressions.
Idioms for Expensive Things
1. Cost an arm and a leg
Meaning: Something that is extremely expensive and costs far too much money.
For Example: He wanted to buy the brand-new gaming console, but it cost an arm and a leg. / Buying tickets for the whole family at the theme park cost an arm and a leg.
Other Ways to Say: Very expensive / Overpriced
2. Cost a fortune
Meaning: Requiring a massive amount of money to purchase or build.
For Example: Repairing the broken family car engine was going to cost a fortune. / Designer sneakers often cost a fortune at the mall.
Other Ways to Say: Extremely pricey / Cost a lot
3. A pretty penny
Meaning: A large and substantial sum of money spent on an item.
For Example: That shiny new bicycle must have cost her parents a pretty penny. / Collecting rare comic books can cost a pretty penny over time.
Other Ways to Say: Expensive / Costly
4. Worth its weight in gold
Meaning: Something that is extremely valuable, useful, or expensive.
For Example: During the heavy rainstorm, his waterproof jacket felt like it was worth its weight in gold. / A reliable dictionary during a spelling test is worth its weight in gold.
Other Ways to Say: Extremely valuable / Highly useful
5. Break the bank
Meaning: Spending so much money that you use up all your savings.
For Example: Buying a small notebook for school will not break the bank. / Splurging on a luxury vacation would definitely break the bank.
Other Ways to Say: Cost too much / Empty savings
6. Pay through the nose
Meaning: Paying an unreasonably high price for something expensive.
For Example: Buying snacks at the movie theater means you have to pay through the nose. / He had to pay through the nose to get his phone repaired quickly.
Other Ways to Say: Overpay / Cost heavily
7. King’s ransom
Meaning: An enormous and luxurious amount of money.
For Example: Buying the rare gold watch would cost a king’s ransom. / The historical painting was insured for a king’s ransom.
Other Ways to Say: Massive fortune / Huge sum
8. Top dollar
Meaning: The highest possible price paid for a luxury or high-end item.
For Example: He was willing to pay top dollar to get the front-row concert tickets. / Quality winter coats often require paying top dollar at the store.
Other Ways to Say: Highest price / Premium cost
9. High-end
Meaning: Luxury products that are expensive and of superior quality.
For Example: The downtown boutique only sold high-end clothing and shoes. / Buying a computer from a high-end store guarantees great performance.
Other Ways to Say: Luxury / Expensive quality
10. Price tag
Meaning: The printed label showing how much money an expensive item costs.
For Example: He gasped when he looked at the price tag on the leather jacket. / Checking the price tag before buying prevents money surprises.
Other Ways to Say: Cost label / Price amount
11. Steep price
Meaning: A cost that is unusually high and hard to afford.
For Example: Twenty dollars for a single sandwich felt like a steep price. / The museum ticket had a steep price for families.
Other Ways to Say: High cost / Expensive rate
12. Exorbitant cost
Meaning: A price that goes far beyond what is fair or reasonable.
For Example: The hotel charged an exorbitant cost for a bottle of water. / Avoid buying items with an exorbitant cost when budgeting.
Other Ways to Say: Unfair price / Overpriced
13. Heavy price
Meaning: A significant financial cost or penalty paid for something.
For Example: Parking illegally downtown came with a heavy price in fines. / Making careless mistakes with expensive gear carries a heavy price.
Other Ways to Say: Big cost / Major penalty
14. Golden opportunity
Meaning: A valuable chance, though sometimes tied to luxury investments.
For Example: Finding the clearance sale felt like a golden opportunity to save. / Winning the scholarship was a golden opportunity for college.
Other Ways to Say: Great chance / Valuable moment
15. Priceless item
Meaning: Something so valuable that no amount of money can buy it.
For Example: The handmade family photo album was a priceless item. / Historical museum artifacts are considered a priceless item.
Other Ways to Say: Invaluable / Beyond price
16. Luxury tax
Meaning: Extra money added to the purchase of very expensive luxury goods.
For Example: Buying sports cars and yachts often involves paying a luxury tax. / High-end jewelry carries an extra luxury tax.
Other Ways to Say: High-end fee / Luxury surcharge
17. Live in the lap of luxury
Meaning: Spending money to live an extremely rich and comfortable lifestyle.
For Example: Movie stars in grand mansions seem to live in the lap of luxury. / Winning the lottery would let someone live in the lap of luxury.
Other Ways to Say: Live richly / Wealthy lifestyle
18. Born with a silver spoon in your mouth
Meaning: Being born into a wealthy and expensive lifestyle.
For Example: Stories often feature characters born with a silver spoon in their mouth. / Hard work brings personal pride, unlike being born with a silver spoon.
Other Ways to Say: Wealthy birth / Privileged life
19. Money to burn
Meaning: Having so much extra cash that you can buy expensive things easily.
For Example: Buying multiple video games at once made him look like he had money to burn. / Shoppers at luxury malls often act like they have money to burn.
Other Ways to Say: Excess cash / Wealthy spender
20. Roll in wealth
Meaning: Possessing massive amounts of money and expensive possessions.
For Example: Successful business owners sometimes seem to roll in wealth. / Winning the grand prize lets people roll in wealth.
Other Ways to Say: Be rich / Have fortunes
21. Filthy rich
Meaning: Having an excessive and unbelievable amount of money.
For Example: Characters in fairy tales often imagine becoming filthy rich. / Owning multiple mansions makes someone filthy rich.
Other Ways to Say: Extremely wealthy / Super rich
22. Made of money
Meaning: A humorous saying used when someone spends expensive amounts casually.
For Example: When he asked for another expensive toy, dad joked that he was not made of money. / Parents remind kids that they are not made of money when shopping.
Other Ways to Say: Wealthy / Having endless cash
23. Flush with cash
Meaning: Having plenty of money available to buy expensive items.
For Example: After his birthday, he was flush with cash from family cards. / Getting paid on Friday left him flush with cash.
Other Ways to Say: Having money / Financially ready
24. High roller
Meaning: Someone who spends large amounts of money on expensive entertainment.
For Example: The vacation resort welcomed visitors who acted like high rollers. / Betting big on games makes someone look like a high roller.
Other Ways to Say: Big spender / Wealthy player
25. Spender of fortunes
Meaning: Someone who constantly buys expensive luxury items.
For Example: Historical kings were known as famous spenders of fortunes. / Shopping sprees turn people into temporary spenders of fortunes.
Other Ways to Say: Heavy buyer / Luxury shopper
26. Pricey purchase
Meaning: Buying something that costs more than average.
For Example: Buying the new smartphone was a pricey purchase for his allowance. / Designer shoes turned out to be a pricey purchase.
Other Ways to Say: Expensive buy / Costly item
27. Costly mistake
Meaning: An error that results in losing a lot of money.
For Example: Dropping the expensive camera was a very costly mistake. / Forgetting to lock the store door was a costly mistake.
Other Ways to Say: Expensive error / Money loss
28. High price tag
Meaning: A large number printed on the label of an expensive item.
For Example: The leather armchair came with a remarkably high price tag. / Checking the high price tag made him put the jacket back.
Other Ways to Say: Expensive label / High cost
29. Out of my price range
Meaning: Something that is far too expensive for your budget to afford.
For Example: He wanted the electric bicycle, but it was out of my price range. / Designer watches are completely out of my price range.
Other Ways to Say: Too expensive / Unaffordable
30. Beyond belief in cost
Meaning: Pricing that is so high it sounds shocking and unreal.
For Example: The cost of the vacation resort was beyond belief in cost. / Designer handbags can be beyond belief in cost.
Other Ways to Say: Shockingly expensive / Unbelievable price
31. Fancy taste
Meaning: Preferring expensive, luxury foods and items over simple ones.
For Example: Ordering gourmet meals showed he had a very fancy taste. / Buying imported chocolates proved her fancy taste.
Other Ways to Say: Luxury preference / Expensive style
32. High-priced spread
Meaning: A lavish and expensive meal or spread of food.
For Example: The hotel banquet offered a high-priced spread for guests. / Holiday dinners featured a high-priced spread of meats.
Other Ways to Say: Expensive meal / Luxury feast
33. Gilt-edged
Meaning: Edged in gold leaf, representing extreme luxury and high cost.
For Example: The antique storybook had beautiful gilt-edged pages. / Luxury invitations often feature gilt-edged lettering.
Other Ways to Say: Gold-plated / Luxury finished
34. Plated in gold
Meaning: Covered with a thin layer of real gold, making items expensive.
For Example: The commemorative pocket watch was plated in gold. / Jewelry plated in gold looks shiny and costs more.
Other Ways to Say: Gold-covered / Luxury item
35. Diamond-studded
Meaning: Decorated with sparkling diamonds, representing extreme expense.
For Example: The celebrity wore a diamond-studded necklace to the award show. / Luxury watches can sometimes be diamond-studded.
Other Ways to Say: Jewel-covered / Gem-encrusted
36. Platinum package
Meaning: The most expensive, highest-tier option available for purchase.
For Example: Choosing the platinum package for the theme park trip cost extra. / The phone plan’s platinum package included luxury perks.
Other Ways to Say: Premium tier / Top-level option
37. Luxury liner
Meaning: A massive, expensive cruise ship built for wealthy travelers.
For Example: The vacationers booked a trip on a floating luxury liner. / Traveling across the ocean on a luxury liner is very pricey.
Other Ways to Say: Cruise ship / Luxury boat
38. Sports car price
Meaning: A cost so high that it compares to buying a fast vehicle.
For Example: The custom computer setup had a sports car price tag. / Buying rare collector items can reach a sports car price.
Other Ways to Say: Massive cost / Vehicle price
39. Mansion budget
Meaning: Needing the wealth of a giant house to afford purchases.
For Example: Remodeling the kitchen required a true mansion budget. / Buying rare art takes a mansion budget.
Other Ways to Say: Huge budget / Wealthy funds
40. Designer label
Meaning: Clothing made by famous brands that costs extra money.
For Example: He insisted on buying shirts with a designer label attached. / Clothes with a designer label cost much more than basics.
Other Ways to Say: Brand name / Luxury brand
41. First-class fare
Meaning: Paying extra money for the most luxurious travel experience.
For Example: Flying across the country using first-class fare was expensive. / Luxury trains offer first-class fare options.
Other Ways to Say: Premium travel / Luxury ticket
42. Five-star resort
Meaning: An extremely expensive, top-tier vacation hotel.
For Example: They stayed at a five-star resort during their summer holiday. / Visiting a five-star resort costs a lot of money.
Other Ways to Say: Luxury hotel / Premium resort
43. Gourmet meal
Meaning: An expensive, high-quality meal prepared by expert chefs.
For Example: The restaurant served a gourmet meal with tiny, pricey portions. / Celebrating birthdays often involves eating a gourmet meal.
Other Ways to Say: Luxury food / Chef meal
44. Imported luxury
Meaning: Expensive items brought in from foreign countries.
For Example: The store specialized in selling imported luxury chocolates. / Buying imported luxury rugs cost a pretty penny.
Other Ways to Say: Foreign luxury / Overseas goods
45. Collector item
Meaning: Rare items that cost a fortune because people want to collect them.
For Example: The vintage action figure was sold as a pricey collector item. / Antique clocks act as a valuable collector item.
Other Ways to Say: Rare good / Valuable collectible
46. Heirloom jewelry
Meaning: Expensive family jewelry passed down through generations.
For Example: Grandma’s diamond ring was precious heirloom jewelry. / Storing heirloom jewelry safely requires a bank vault.
Other Ways to Say: Family gems / Ancestral jewels
47. Fine art piece
Meaning: An expensive painting or sculpture created by a master artist.
For Example: The art gallery displayed a fine art piece worth millions. / Collecting a fine art piece requires a massive budget.
Other Ways to Say: Masterpiece / Expensive art
48. Custom-built mansion
Meaning: A giant, expensive house built specifically to personal design.
For Example: The architect designed a custom-built mansion on the hill. / Owning a custom-built mansion costs a king’s ransom.
Other Ways to Say: Luxury home / Custom house
49. Thoroughbred horse
Meaning: An expensive, purebred racing animal that costs a fortune.
For Example: Wealthy owners invested in buying a winning thoroughbred horse. / Feeding and training a thoroughbred horse is costly.
Other Ways to Say: Purebred racer / Expensive animal
50. Private jet travel
Meaning: Flying in personal, expensive aircraft instead of public airlines.
For Example: Rock stars often travel using private jet travel. / Renting planes for private jet travel costs a fortune.
Other Ways to Say: Personal flight / Luxury flying
51. Ultimate luxury purchase
Meaning: The absolute most expensive, high-end item you can buy.
For Example: Buying the sports car was his ultimate luxury purchase. / Vacation homes act as an ultimate luxury purchase.
Other Ways to Say: Peak luxury buy / Greatest expense
52. Ultimate price tag
Meaning: The absolute highest cost possible for a purchase.
For Example: The yacht came with an ultimate price tag of millions. / Checking the ultimate price tag caused a gasp.
Other Ways to Say: Maximum cost / Peak price
53. Ultimate wealth display
Meaning: Spending huge money publicly to show off expensive possessions.
For Example: Driving gold-plated cars served as an ultimate wealth display. / Throwing lavish parties is an ultimate wealth display.
Other Ways to Say: Showy spending / Luxury display
54. Ultimate high-end store
Meaning: The absolute most expensive shopping boutique available.
For Example: Shopping at Fifth Avenue meant visiting an ultimate high-end store. / Designer dresses came from an ultimate high-end store.
Other Ways to Say: Luxury shop / Premium market
55. Ultimate collector’s prize
Meaning: The rarest and most expensive item a collector can buy.
For Example: Finding the 1909 baseball card was his ultimate collector’s prize. / Owning the rare painting was an ultimate collector’s prize.
Other Ways to Say: Rarest item / Ultimate treasure
56. Ultimate luxury vacation
Meaning: The most expensive, extravagant holiday trip possible.
For Example: Renting a private island created an ultimate luxury vacation. / Cruising around the world is an ultimate luxury vacation.
Other Ways to Say: Grand trip / Expensive holiday
57. Ultimate five-star experience
Meaning: The absolute most expensive and pampered hotel stay.
For Example: Room service and spa treatments made it an ultimate five-star experience. / Staying at the luxury hotel provided an ultimate five-star experience.
Other Ways to Say: Peak luxury stay / Premium hotel visit
58. Ultimate gourmet feast
Meaning: The absolute most expensive and lavish multi-course meal.
For Example: Chef-prepared lobster and truffles formed an ultimate gourmet feast. / Anniversary dinners featured an ultimate gourmet feast.
Other Ways to Say: Grand meal / Luxury banquet
59. Ultimate designer wardrobe
Meaning: A closet filled entirely with expensive, brand-name clothes.
For Example: Famous actors maintain an ultimate designer wardrobe for red carpets. / Shopping sprees created her ultimate designer wardrobe.
Other Ways to Say: Luxury closet / Brand clothes collection
60. Ultimate fortune spent
Meaning: The absolute largest amount of money ever used on purchases.
For Example: Building the giant estate resulted in an ultimate fortune spent. / Collecting vintage cars took an ultimate fortune spent over decades.
Other Ways to Say: Massive money loss / Ultimate spending
Exercise to Practice
- He wanted to buy the brand-new gaming console, but it cost an ________ and a leg.
- Repairing the broken family car engine was going to cost a ________.
- That shiny new bicycle must have cost her parents a pretty ________.
- During the heavy rainstorm, his waterproof jacket felt like it was worth its weight in ________.
- Buying a small notebook for school will not break the ________.
- Buying snacks at the movie theater means you have to pay through the ________.
- Buying the rare gold watch would cost a king’s ________.
- He was willing to pay top ________ to get the front-row concert tickets.
- The downtown boutique only sold ________-end clothing and shoes.
- He gasped when he looked at the ________ tag on the leather jacket.
- Twenty dollars for a single sandwich felt like a ________ price.
- The hotel charged an ________ cost for a bottle of water.
- Parking illegally downtown came with a ________ price in fines.
- Finding the clearance sale felt like a ________ opportunity to save.
- The handmade family photo album was a ________ item.
Answer Key
- arm
- fortune
- penny
- gold
- bank
- nose
- ransom
- dollar
- high
- price
- steep
- exorbitant
- heavy
- golden
- priceless
Conclusion
Learning idioms related to expensive things helps us describe luxury items, high prices, and costly purchases with colorful language. These descriptive phrases bring humor and vivid imagery to our everyday conversations about money. Try using a few of these new idioms when talking about shopping or budgeting today. You will make your language more expressive while mastering wonderful English vocabulary.
