custar os olhos da cara
To cost an arm and a leg
Literally: To cost the eyes of the face
In 15 Seconds
- Used to describe something extremely or unfairly expensive.
- Equivalent to the English 'cost an arm and a leg'.
- Uses the verb 'custar' plus 'the eyes of the face'.
Meaning
This phrase is used to describe something that is incredibly expensive. It's the perfect way to complain about a price that feels unfairly high or way beyond your budget.
Key Examples
3 of 6Complaining about rent to a friend
O aluguel em Lisboa está custando os olhos da cara!
Rent in Lisbon is costing an arm and a leg!
Discussing a luxury car
Eu adoraria ter uma Ferrari, mas custa os olhos da cara.
I would love to have a Ferrari, but it costs an arm and a leg.
In a professional but relaxed meeting about budgets
Precisamos de outra opção, esse software custa os olhos da cara.
We need another option; this software is way too expensive.
Cultural Background
The phrase likely originates from the harsh realities of 16th-century warfare and colonization. It is widely used in both Portugal and Brazil, though Brazilians might use the 'kidney' variation more frequently in digital spaces. It reflects a Mediterranean flair for dramatic metaphors when discussing money.
Make it personal
Add 'me' before 'custou' (e.g., 'Me custou os olhos da cara') to emphasize that YOU specifically felt the pain in your wallet.
Don't be literal
Never use this if someone actually hurt their eyes. It is strictly for monetary value or extreme effort.
In 15 Seconds
- Used to describe something extremely or unfairly expensive.
- Equivalent to the English 'cost an arm and a leg'.
- Uses the verb 'custar' plus 'the eyes of the face'.
What It Means
Imagine you want to buy a new smartphone. You look at the price tag and gasp. It is not just expensive; it is painfully expensive. In Portuguese, you say it custou os olhos da cara. It means the price was so high it felt like you had to give up your own eyes to pay for it. It is the direct equivalent of the English 'cost an arm and a leg.'
How To Use It
You use the verb custar (to cost). You can conjugate it for the past, present, or future.
Isso custa os olhos da cara!(This costs a fortune!)Aquele carro custou os olhos da cara.(That car cost a fortune.)
You can also use it for experiences, like a trip or a dinner. It always emphasizes that the value is astronomical compared to what is normal.
When To Use It
Use this when you are venting to friends about inflation. Use it when you are shocked by the price of a designer bag. It is perfect for casual conversations over coffee. You can use it at a restaurant if the bill is surprisingly high. It is also great for texting when a friend sends you a link to a luxury hotel.
When NOT To Use It
Avoid this in very formal business negotiations. If you are signing a multi-million dollar contract, don't tell the CEO it custa os olhos da cara. It sounds a bit too dramatic and emotional for a boardroom. Also, don't use it for things that are actually cheap. If you use it for a 2-euro coffee, people will think you are being extremely sarcastic or just very confused.
Cultural Background
Legend has it this expression comes from the Spanish conquistador Diego de Almagro. During a battle, he literally lost an eye to an arrow. He reportedly told Emperor Charles V that defending the crown's interests had 'cost him an eye of his face.' Over centuries, the phrase evolved. It moved from a literal sacrifice to a metaphor for high prices. It is now a staple of the Portuguese language across the globe.
Common Variations
You might hear people say custar um rim (to cost a kidney). This is the modern, more 'internet-era' version. It implies the price is so high you’d need to sell an organ on the black market. However, os olhos da cara remains the classic, timeless choice. It is understood by everyone from your teenage cousin to your grandmother.
Usage Notes
This is a neutral-to-informal idiom. It is safe for daily life, family gatherings, and casual work environments, but avoid it in high-level legal or financial documents.
Make it personal
Add 'me' before 'custou' (e.g., 'Me custou os olhos da cara') to emphasize that YOU specifically felt the pain in your wallet.
Don't be literal
Never use this if someone actually hurt their eyes. It is strictly for monetary value or extreme effort.
The Kidney Upgrade
If you want to sound like a Brazilian Gen Z, say 'Custou um rim'. It's the modern way to say the price was life-altering.
Examples
6O aluguel em Lisboa está custando os olhos da cara!
Rent in Lisbon is costing an arm and a leg!
Using the present continuous to show an ongoing situation.
Eu adoraria ter uma Ferrari, mas custa os olhos da cara.
I would love to have a Ferrari, but it costs an arm and a leg.
A classic comparison of luxury goods.
Precisamos de outra opção, esse software custa os olhos da cara.
We need another option; this software is way too expensive.
Used here to emphasize that the budget cannot cover the cost.
Vi o preço do show... custa os olhos da cara! 😱
I saw the concert price... it costs a fortune!
Very common in digital chats with emojis.
Nossa, essa salada custa os olhos da cara! Vem com ouro?
Wow, this salad costs a fortune! Does it come with gold?
Adding a joke makes the expression even more natural.
Eu comprei o relógio, mas me custou os olhos da cara.
I bought the watch, but it cost me an arm and a leg.
Using 'me' (to me) adds a personal touch of regret.
Test Yourself
Complete the sentence with the correct phrase for 'expensive'.
Viajar para o Japão é o meu sonho, mas a passagem ___.
Since traveling to Japan is usually very expensive, 'custa os olhos da cara' is the most appropriate idiom.
Which verb correctly completes the idiom?
Aquele jantar ontem ___ os olhos da cara!
The idiom always uses the verb 'custar' (to cost).
🎉 Score: /2
Visual Learning Aids
Formality of 'Custar os olhos da cara'
Using 'Custar um rim' (Cost a kidney).
Mano, custou um rim!
The sweet spot for 'Os olhos da cara'.
A conta custou os olhos da cara.
Standard 'Muito caro' (Very expensive).
O investimento é muito elevado.
When to use 'Os olhos da cara'
Shopping Mall
Looking at designer shoes.
Real Estate
Discussing high rent prices.
Dinner
Seeing a $100 steak on the menu.
Tech Store
Buying the latest iPhone.
Practice Bank
2 exercisesViajar para o Japão é o meu sonho, mas a passagem ___.
Since traveling to Japan is usually very expensive, 'custa os olhos da cara' is the most appropriate idiom.
Aquele jantar ontem ___ os olhos da cara!
The idiom always uses the verb 'custar' (to cost).
🎉 Score: /2
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsIt means something is extremely expensive. It's the Portuguese equivalent of saying something 'costs an arm and a leg'.
Not necessarily, but it is informal. If you say it to a clerk, you are being very dramatic about their prices, so use a friendly tone!
No, it only refers to the price or cost of objects, services, or experiences. You wouldn't use it to describe a person.
In formal writing, you should just use extremamente caro or de custo elevado.
No, it is widely used in Portugal, Angola, Mozambique, and all Portuguese-speaking countries.
People will understand you, but the full set phrase is os olhos da cara. Shortening it makes it sound incomplete.
Forgetting the 'da cara' part. Just saying custar os olhos sounds a bit weird and literal.
Occasionally, yes. You can use it if something required an immense, painful effort, but 99% of the time it's about money.
Yes, custar um rim (to cost a kidney) is a more modern, slangy variation of the same idea.
Just like a regular -AR verb. For example: custa (present), custou (past), vai custar (future).
Related Phrases
Preço de banana
Very cheap / Dirt cheap
Custar um rim
To cost a kidney (very expensive)
Pela hora da morte
Extremely expensive (referring to the 'hour of death')
Mão de vaca
A stingy person / Cheapskate
