peɪ θruː ðə noʊz
Money & Finance
informal
intermediate
- Literally:
- Paying money through one's nose
What does "pay through the nose" mean?
- To pay an excessive amount
- To be overcharged for something
Examples
- We paid through the nose for parking at the airport.
- You'll pay through the nose if you buy at tourist shops.
- They make customers pay through the nose for repairs.
Origin
From 9th-century Ireland when Vikings imposed a poll tax (nose tax) and punished non-payers by slitting their noses.
How to use it
Often used when feeling cheated or overcharged. Common in consumer complaints.
Similar expressions
pay dearly
cost a fortune
pay an arm and a leg
Opposites
get a bargain
pay a fair price
Related idioms
- pay an arm and a leg
To pay an extremely high price
- make ends meet
To earn just enough money to cover basic expenses
- cost an arm and a leg
To be very expensive
- money doesn't grow on trees
Money is not easily acquired; it must be earned
- break the bank
To cost too much money
- hit the jackpot
To achieve great success or win something valuable
Use it in a practice answer
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