cost a fortune

Meaning

This expression is used to emphasize that something is extremely expensive. It is a casual exaggeration, as the item doesn't literally cost an entire fortune, but it feels like it does to the buyer. It is widely used in daily conversations when complaining about high prices or discussing luxury purchases.

Examples

• Buying fresh berries in the middle of winter can cost a fortune.

  Buying fresh berries in the middle of winter can cost a fortune.

• I love that designer bag, but I know it would cost a fortune.

  I love that designer bag, but I know it would cost a fortune.

• Getting my car repaired after the accident is going to cost a fortune.

  Getting my car repaired after the accident is going to cost a fortune.

• We wanted to go to Paris, but the flights cost a fortune during the holidays.

  We wanted to go to Paris, but the flights cost a fortune during the holidays.

• Eating out at that new rooftop restaurant will cost you a fortune.

  Eating out at that new rooftop restaurant will cost you a fortune.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ The new phone costed a fortune.

  ✓ The new phone cost a fortune.

  The past tense of 'cost' is 'cost,' not 'costed.'

• ✗ That luxury watch costs fortunes.

  ✓ That luxury watch costs a fortune.

  The idiom always uses the singular noun phrase 'a fortune.'

Related Expressions

Practice

• I'd love to buy a house by the beach, but it would ___.

  💡 Use the base form.

  Show answer

  cost a fortune

• Our hotel in Tokyo was nice, but it ___.

  💡 Use the past tense (which is the same as the base form).

  Show answer

  cost a fortune