Let's break down the meaning of the idiom "Cost an arm and a leg". Idioms are phrases where the meaning isn't obvious from the individual words. They often have a figurative meaning.

Understanding the Idiom: Cost an Arm and a Leg

The idiom "Cost an arm and a leg" is a common English phrase used to describe something that is exceedingly expensive. The imagery of losing an arm and a leg suggests a very high price or sacrifice, implying that the item or service acquired required a significant amount of money.

Analyzing the Options

Let's look at the given options and see which one best matches the meaning of the idiom "Cost an arm and a leg":

• Option 1: Be easily available
  This option talks about availability, not cost. The idiom "Cost an arm and a leg" is specifically about how expensive something is. Therefore, this option is incorrect.
• Option 2: Be rather cheap
  This option suggests a low price. The idiom "Cost an arm and a leg" implies a very high price, which is the opposite of being cheap. Therefore, this option is incorrect.
• Option 3: Be worthy of the cost
  This option relates to the value or worth of something compared to its price. While something that costs an arm and a leg might sometimes be worth it, the idiom itself only describes the high cost, not whether that cost is justified. Therefore, this option is not the most appropriate meaning of the idiom.
• Option 4: Be extremely expensive
  This option directly states that something has a very high cost. This perfectly aligns with the commonly accepted meaning of the idiom "Cost an arm and a leg". It signifies that the price is exorbitant or prohibitive for most people.

Why "Be Extremely Expensive" is Correct

The phrase "Cost an arm and a leg" is universally understood to mean that something is very costly. When someone says something "cost an arm and a leg", they are emphasizing the high price paid or required for that item or service. For example:

• "That new sports car looks great, but it must cost an arm and a leg!" (Meaning the car is very expensive).
• "Getting tickets to the concert on the front row will cost an arm and a leg." (Meaning the tickets are extremely expensive).

This usage clearly shows that the core meaning of "Cost an arm and a leg" is related to something being extremely expensive.

Revision Table: Idiom Meaning

Additional Information: Idioms Related to Cost

Here are a few other English idioms related to cost or value:

• Break the bank: To spend all of one's savings, or to cost a lot of money.
• Dirt cheap: Very inexpensive.
• Worth every penny: To be very valuable and worth the price paid.
• Pay through the nose: To pay too much money for something.

Understanding idioms like "Cost an arm and a leg" is important for improving English comprehension and usage, especially in exams and everyday conversations.