A1 Idiom 비격식체

Costo un occhio

It costs an arm and leg

Very expensive.

🌍

문화적 배경

Complaining about the 'carovita' (high cost of living) is a common social bonding activity in Italy. Using this idiom makes you sound like part of the community. Italy is the home of luxury brands. Italians use this phrase to distinguish between 'expensive but worth it' and 'unjustifiably expensive'. In the North (Milan), people might use this for rent, while in the South, it might be used more for imported goods or specific services. The value of sight is reflected in Italian art history. The eyes are considered the 'mirror of the soul', which adds weight to the idiom.

💡

Use it for emphasis

Don't use it for a slightly expensive coffee; save it for when you are truly shocked by the price.

⚠️

Check the gender

If using the past tense, remember: 'La cena mi è costatA', 'Il libro mi è costatO'.

Very expensive.

💡

Use it for emphasis

Don't use it for a slightly expensive coffee; save it for when you are truly shocked by the price.

⚠️

Check the gender

If using the past tense, remember: 'La cena mi è costatA', 'Il libro mi è costatO'.

🎯

Add 'proprio'

Say 'Costa proprio un occhio della testa' to sound even more like a native.

셀프 테스트

Complete the sentence with the correct form of the idiom.

Quella borsa di lusso ______ un occhio della testa.

✓ 정답! ✗ 아쉬워요. 정답: costa

The subject 'borsa' is singular, so we use 'costa'.

Which sentence is the most natural way to say something is very expensive?

How would you complain about a 100 euro pizza?

✓ 정답! ✗ 아쉬워요. 정답: Questa pizza costa un occhio della testa.

This is the standard Italian idiom for high prices.

Fill in the missing part of the dialogue.

A: Hai visto il nuovo iPhone? B: Sì, è bellissimo, ma ______.

✓ 정답! ✗ 아쉬워요. 정답: costa un occhio della testa

The context implies a contrast between 'beautiful' and 'expensive'.

Match the Italian phrase to its English equivalent.

Match the following:

✓ 정답! ✗ 아쉬워요. 정답: Costa un occhio della testa - It costs an arm and a leg

These are the closest idiomatic equivalents.

🎉 점수: /4

시각 학습 자료

연습 문제 은행

4 연습 문제
Complete the sentence with the correct form of the idiom. Fill Blank A1

Quella borsa di lusso ______ un occhio della testa.

✓ 정답! ✗ 아쉬워요. 정답: costa

The subject 'borsa' is singular, so we use 'costa'.

Which sentence is the most natural way to say something is very expensive? Choose A1

How would you complain about a 100 euro pizza?

✓ 정답! ✗ 아쉬워요. 정답: Questa pizza costa un occhio della testa.

This is the standard Italian idiom for high prices.

Fill in the missing part of the dialogue. dialogue_completion A2

A: Hai visto il nuovo iPhone? B: Sì, è bellissimo, ma ______.

✓ 정답! ✗ 아쉬워요. 정답: costa un occhio della testa

The context implies a contrast between 'beautiful' and 'expensive'.

Match the Italian phrase to its English equivalent. Match B1

왼쪽의 각 항목을 오른쪽의 짝과 연결하세요:

✓ 정답! ✗ 아쉬워요. 정답: Costa un occhio della testa - It costs an arm and a leg

These are the closest idiomatic equivalents.

🎉 점수: /4

자주 묻는 질문

4 질문

It can be seen as a bit blunt. It's better to say it to a friend *about* the shop, rather than to the owner's face, unless you have a very friendly relationship.

No, it is only used for the price of objects, services, or metaphorical costs like 'stress'.

There is no difference in meaning. The second one is just the full, more traditional form.

Among younger people, yes. It's the modern version of the same idea.

관련 표현

🔄

Costare un patrimonio

synonym

To cost a fortune

🔗

Essere a buon mercato

contrast

To be cheap/affordable

🔗

Costare un rene

similar

To cost a kidney

🔗

Pagare l'ira di Dio

similar

To pay the wrath of God

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