15 सेकंड में
- Used to describe something that is very expensive.
- Commonly follows the verbs 'cost' or 'spend'.
- An ironic way to say a lot of money.
मतलब
This phrase describes something that costs a lot of money, usually more than you expected or wanted to pay. It sounds like a contradiction because a 'fortune' is huge, but calling it 'small' is a common way to emphasize that it's still a significant amount of cash.
मुख्य उदाहरण
3 / 6Talking about a new gadget
I love my new laptop, but it cost a small fortune.
I love my new laptop, but it cost a small fortune.
Discussing home renovations
Fixing the roof is going to cost a small fortune this year.
Fixing the roof is going to cost a small fortune this year.
In a professional but relaxed meeting
The marketing campaign was great, though it did cost a small fortune.
The marketing campaign was great, though it did cost a small fortune.
सांस्कृतिक पृष्ठभूमि
The British use this phrase frequently as a form of 'stiff upper lip' understatement. It allows them to complain about high prices without appearing overly emotional or aggressive. In the US, the phrase is often used in the context of the 'American Dream'—making a small fortune through hard work or innovation. Australians might use this phrase when discussing the 'cost of living' or 'property prices', often with a sense of dry, 'larrikin' humor. In international business English, this phrase is a safe way to indicate that a project is expensive without using potentially offensive or overly dramatic language.
Use it for complaints
It's the perfect phrase for complaining about bills or prices without sounding like you're actually angry.
Don't forget the 'A'
Always include the article 'a'. 'Cost small fortune' is a common error for non-native speakers.
15 सेकंड में
- Used to describe something that is very expensive.
- Commonly follows the verbs 'cost' or 'spend'.
- An ironic way to say a lot of money.
What It Means
Small fortune is a classic English idiom for something very expensive. It doesn't mean a literal pile of gold. It just means a price tag that makes you wince. Think of it as 'a lot of money' but with more personality. It highlights that while the cost might not bankrupted a billionaire, it certainly hurts your wallet.
How To Use It
You usually use it after verbs like cost, spend, or worth. You can say a car cost a small fortune. Or you might say your new hobby is costing you a small fortune. It acts like a noun in a sentence. It’s perfect for complaining about prices without sounding too aggressive. It adds a touch of drama to your story.
When To Use It
Use it when discussing everyday luxuries or unexpected bills. It fits perfectly when talking about weddings, car repairs, or designer shoes. If you’re at a restaurant and the steak is $100, tell your friend it costs a small fortune. It’s great for bonding over the high cost of living. Use it in emails to friends or casual chats at the office.
When NOT To Use It
Don't use it for truly small amounts, like a $5 coffee. That just sounds confusing. Also, avoid it in very serious financial reports or legal documents. It’s a bit too colorful for a bank loan application. If someone actually loses their entire life savings, don't use this phrase. It might sound like you are downplaying their tragedy. Keep it for things that are expensive but not life-ending.
Cultural Background
English speakers love using understatements and contradictions. Calling a large sum 'small' is a form of ironic humor. It dates back to the mid-19th century. It reflects a middle-class perspective where 'fortune' is relative. It’s a very common phrase in the UK, US, and Australia. It shows a shared cultural understanding that everything is getting more expensive!
Common Variations
You might hear people say it cost an absolute fortune for even more emphasis. Sometimes people just say it cost a fortune. However, adding small actually makes it sound more idiomatic and conversational. You won't hear big fortune used this way. Stick to small or absolute to sound like a native speaker.
इस्तेमाल की जानकारी
The phrase is neutral to informal. It is perfectly acceptable in most social and workplace settings, but avoid it in highly technical financial reporting where precise figures are required.
Use it for complaints
It's the perfect phrase for complaining about bills or prices without sounding like you're actually angry.
Don't forget the 'A'
Always include the article 'a'. 'Cost small fortune' is a common error for non-native speakers.
Irony is key
Remember that the 'small' is ironic. If you use it for something actually cheap, people will be confused.
उदाहरण
6I love my new laptop, but it cost a small fortune.
I love my new laptop, but it cost a small fortune.
A classic way to express that a purchase was a big investment.
Fixing the roof is going to cost a small fortune this year.
Fixing the roof is going to cost a small fortune this year.
Used here to express stress about an unavoidable high expense.
The marketing campaign was great, though it did cost a small fortune.
The marketing campaign was great, though it did cost a small fortune.
Acceptable in business when discussing budgets informally.
That dinner last night was amazing but cost a small fortune! 💸
That dinner last night was amazing but cost a small fortune!
The emoji helps emphasize the 'money flying away' feeling.
My cat's medical bills are costing me a small fortune; he lives better than I do!
My cat's medical bills are costing me a small fortune.
Uses humor to complain about the irony of spending money on a pet.
We spent a small fortune on the flowers alone, but they looked beautiful.
We spent a small fortune on the flowers alone.
Reflecting on a significant life event expense.
खुद को परखो
Complete the sentence with the correct form of the idiom.
I love my new apartment, but the deposit cost me a ______ ______.
The correct idiom is 'small fortune', which ironically means a lot of money.
Which verb is most commonly used with 'a small fortune' to describe spending money?
We ______ a small fortune on our holiday last year.
'Spent' is the standard verb for using money in this context.
Match the phrase with its meaning.
Match the items:
These are all related to high costs but vary slightly in intensity.
Choose the best response for Speaker B.
Speaker A: 'Did you see the price of the new iPhone?' Speaker B: '______'
This is the most natural idiomatic response to an expensive item.
In which situation would you NOT use 'a small fortune'?
Select the inappropriate situation:
Chewing gum is too cheap for this idiom to make sense, even ironically.
🎉 स्कोर: /5
विज़ुअल लर्निंग टूल्स
Cost Idioms by Intensity
अभ्यास बैंक
5 अभ्यासI love my new apartment, but the deposit cost me a ______ ______.
The correct idiom is 'small fortune', which ironically means a lot of money.
We ______ a small fortune on our holiday last year.
'Spent' is the standard verb for using money in this context.
बाईं ओर के प्रत्येक आइटम को दाईं ओर के उसके जोड़े से मिलाएं:
These are all related to high costs but vary slightly in intensity.
Speaker A: 'Did you see the price of the new iPhone?' Speaker B: '______'
This is the most natural idiomatic response to an expensive item.
Select the inappropriate situation:
Chewing gum is too cheap for this idiom to make sense, even ironically.
🎉 स्कोर: /5
अक्सर पूछे जाने वाले सवाल
12 सवालThere is no fixed amount. It depends on the context. For a coffee, $10 might be a small fortune. For a house, it might mean hundreds of thousands of dollars.
You can, but it's not an idiom. It sounds very literal and less natural than 'a small fortune'.
Yes, it's quite common in business to describe high costs or successful profits in a slightly less dry way.
'A pretty penny' is slightly more informal and often used for things that are expensive but not life-changingly so.
No, it only refers to money or the value of things.
It is used equally in both, though the ironic tone is very characteristic of British English.
No. You must say 'He *has* a small fortune' or 'He *made* a small fortune'.
Generally no, but be careful using it around people who are struggling financially.
Yes, it almost always refers to financial wealth or cost.
Yes: 'It cost a small fortune' or 'He made a small fortune'.
In this specific idiom, yes. 'A fortune' also means a lot of money, but 'a small fortune' is the specific idiomatic collocation.
No, that would sound like a joke or a literal small amount of money.
संबंधित मुहावरे
A pretty penny
synonymA large sum of money.
An arm and a leg
similarExtremely expensive.
A king's ransom
similarA huge amount of money.
Break the bank
similarTo cost more than one can afford.
Chicken feed
contrastA very small amount of money.
