cost
Price of something
The money you need to pay for something.
the cost of [something]
- The cost of the new phone is too high for me.
- They are trying to reduce the cost of production.
- The total cost came to $500.
- Health care costs have risen sharply this year.
- The cost of the book is five dollars.
- What is the cost of the ticket?
- The cost is too high for me.
- We must pay the full cost.
Require payment of money
To need a certain amount of money to buy or do something.
[something] costs [amount]
- This meal will cost you $20.
- The repairs could cost more than the car is worth.
- It costs a lot to live in this city.
- The shoes cost fifty dollars.
- How much does this shirt cost?
- It costs a lot to travel there.
Something sacrificed for gain
Something you lose or give up to get something else.
at the cost of [something]
- He achieved success, but at the cost of his health.
- They won the case at great personal cost.
- The project was completed at the cost of employee morale.
- He got the job at the cost of his free time.
- She passed the exam at the cost of her health.
- We finished early at the cost of quality.
Cause loss or harm
To make someone lose something important (not money).
[something] costs [someone] [something valuable]
- His mistake cost him his job.
- The accident nearly cost her her life.
- That comment may cost you your friendship with him.
- The lie cost him his best friend.
- Her mistake cost her the race.
- The war cost many lives.
- Base: cost
- Plural: cost, costs
- Base: cost
- 3rd Person Singular: costs
- Present Participle: costing
- Past: cost, costed
- Past Participle: cost
- Irregular past participle: cost Verb
at all costs
1Do regardless of obstacles
Do something no matter how hard or dangerous it is.
- We must protect the children at all costs.
- Avoid injury at all costs during training.
at the cost of
1In exchange for losing something valuable
When you get something but lose something else important for it.
- He finished the project at the cost of his health.
- They won at the cost of their friendship.
hidden costs
1Extra expenses not obvious at first
Extra money you must pay that you did not know about before.
- Be aware of hidden costs when signing the contract.
- There are hidden costs in maintaining an old house.
true cost
1Actual total expense including indirect effects or losses
The real amount something costs, including extra or hidden parts.
- The true cost of cheap clothing includes environmental damage.
- We need to calculate the true cost before deciding.
cost an arm and a leg
1Be very expensive
Be very expensive; cost a lot of money.
- That car cost me an arm and a leg.
- That designer bag costs an arm and a leg.
- The repairs will cost an arm and a leg.
- The trip will cost an arm and a leg if we fly first class.
cost an arm and a leg
2Be very expensive
To be very expensive to buy or get.
- That designer bag cost an arm and a leg.
- Going to college can cost an arm and a leg.