The focus of today’s lesson is the idiom “Costs an arm and a leg,” a phrase often used in English to describe something that is very expensive. Understanding and using idioms effectively can significantly enhance your performance in the IELTS exam, particularly in the Speaking and Writing sections.
Costs an arm and a leg (verb; /kɑːsts ən ɑːrm ənd ə lɛg/): to be very expensive.
- Example: “Going to university in the United States costs an arm and a leg.”
Expensive Education
Synonyms and Related Phrases:
- Expensive (/ɪkˈspɛnsɪv/, adj): costing a lot of money.
- Example: “The new iPhone is quite expensive.”
- Pricy (/ˈpraɪsi/, adj): costing a lot of money.
- Example: “The handbag she likes is rather pricy.”
- Costly (/ˈkɔːstli/, adj): requiring a lot of money.
- Example: “Medical treatments can be very costly.”
- Break the bank (idiom): to use up all of one’s money.
- Example: “Buying a house in this neighborhood will certainly break the bank.”
- Exorbitant (/ɪɡˈzɔːrbɪtənt/, adj): unreasonably high (price or cost).
- Example: “The rent in the city center is exorbitant.”
Analysis of the Idiom
“Costs an arm and a leg” is used to emphasize the high price of an item or service. Its figurative nature makes your language more colorful and engaging, which is particularly useful in the IELTS Speaking and Writing sections.
Pronunciation Breakdown
- Costs: /kɔːsts/
- An: /ən/
- Arm: /ɑːrm/
- And: /ənd/ or /ən/
- Leg: /lɛg/
Frequency in IELTS Exams
Idioms such as “costs an arm and a leg” frequently appear in the IELTS Speaking sections. They showcase your command of colloquial English, which is a significant advantage.
Common Questions
Speaking Part 1: “Can you tell me about a time when you bought something expensive?”
- “Yes, last year I went on a vacation to Europe. It was an amazing experience, but it definitely cost an arm and a leg.”
Writing Task 2: “Do the advantages of a university education outweigh the disadvantages?”
- “Although attending university offers numerous benefits, the fact that it costs an arm and a leg cannot be ignored.”
Sample IELTS Questions and Answers
Speaking Section
Question: “Have you ever regretted buying something that was very expensive?”
- Answer: “Absolutely. I once bought a designer watch that cost an arm and a leg. In hindsight, I realized that I could have used that money for something more useful.”
Writing Section
Task 2 Essay Prompt: “Some people believe that it is better to spend a lot of money on traveling, while others think it’s a waste. Discuss both views and give your opinion.”
- Sample Paragraph: “Traveling the world is an enriching experience, but it often costs an arm and a leg. Many people argue that the memories and experiences gained from travel justify the high expenses. However, others believe that such funds could be better invested in long-term assets or savings.”
Combining the Idiom with Other Vocabulary
To make your writing more professional and diverse, use the idiom in combination with other advanced vocabulary.
- Example 1: “Luxury brands often produce items that cost an arm and a leg, which are coveted for their exclusivity and high quality.”
- Example 2: “Renovating an old house can cost an arm and a leg, making it a daunting task for most homeowners.”
Related Idioms and Expressions
- Break the bank: to use up all of one’s money.
- Example: “Their wedding plan almost broke the bank.”
- High-priced: having a high price.
- Example: “They stayed in a high-priced hotel during their vacation.”
- Burn a hole in one’s pocket: money that is likely to be spent quickly.
- Example: “He received his bonus, and it immediately started to burn a hole in his pocket.”
- Fork out: to pay money, especially unwillingly.
- Example: “She had to fork out $500 for car repairs.”
- Shell out: to pay a large amount of money.
- Example: “I had to shell out a lot of money for my new phone.”
Conclusion
Understanding and utilizing idioms like “costs an arm and a leg” can significantly improve your performance in the IELTS exam. Practice using this idiom in various contexts to enhance your fluency and expressiveness. For further practice, consider exploring related idioms and expressions to broaden your understanding of figurative language.
For more idioms and their applications in the IELTS exam, you might find this list of common IELTS idioms helpful. Additionally, for a deeper understanding of using formal language in discussing topics, you can refer to Were it acceptable, I would propose it.