pay through the nose, to 💸
Definition: To be charged an enormous price.
Possible Origins:
- Danish “nose tax” allegedly imposed in Ireland during the ninth century. Delinquent taxpayers? Nose slitting was their punishment. Yikes!
- Old British slang “rhino” for money or cash. Makes cents, er, sense, if you ask me.
Related Terms:
- Cost an arm and a leg - Also excessive, causes metaphorical limb loss.
- Fork over a fortune - Implores charity, gets highway robbery.
- Break the bank - Empty wallets and shattered hopes included.
- Highway robbery - Sadly, highwaymen are out, but highway fees are in!
- Rip-off - Unfortunately common at vacation spots and concert venues.
Synonyms:
- Charge a fortune
- Overcharge
- Bleed dry
Antonyms:
- Bargain
- Steal (the good kind!)
- Deal
Humorous Quotes:
- “If inflation continues at its present rate, the dictionary will be worth its weight in gold.” - Anonymous
- “You know you’ve paid through the nose when you’ve been charged even for the free peanuts.” - Hypothetical Thrifter
Proverbs:
- “A fool and his money are soon parted.” – Just another reason to keep that nose intact.
Literature and Entertainment References:
- 📖 “Great Expectations” by Charles Dickens - Our hero learns about costly aspirations.
- 📚 “Catch-22” by Joseph Heller - An expensive lesson on the paradox of saving lives in warfare.
- 🎥 “The Pursuit of Happyness” - Will Smith teaching us life’s high costs and priceless rewards
- 🎵 “Money” by Pink Floyd - Following that cash cow can be expensive!
- 📝 “The Highwayman” by Alfred Noyes - Expense to spirit, highwaymen were financial disasters.
The Intriguing Quiz Section! 🤔
### Which of these is a real idiom?
- [x] Pay through the nose
- [ ] Buy with an elephant's ear
- [ ] Trade like a dragon's tale
- [ ] Purchase with seahorse savings
> **Explanation:** "Pay through the nose" is a genuine idiom implying an exorbitant price. The others are just fantastical and aquatic.
### Which phrase matches the meaning?
- [ ] Shop with a salmon
- [x] Cost an arm and a leg
- [ ] Sale with sudden ninja
- [ ] Buy with butterfly wings
> **Explanation:** "Cost an arm and a leg" is another way to stress an extreme cost. The rest? Far too whimsical.
### True or False: Paying through the nose means using too much nasal spray
- [ ] True
- [x] False
> **Explanation:** False! "Paying through the nose" really means paying excessively, not medically overacting!
### What's an antonym for “pay through the nose”?
- [ ] Bust the budget
- [x] A steal
- [ ] Expense overload
- [ ] Wallet’s apocalypse
> **Explanation:** "A steal" indicates a bargain, not a bank-breaking splurge, making it the perfect antonym.
### Which is associated with being overcharged?
- [x] Highway robbery
- [ ] Cave bear trade
- [ ] Lunar luminescence purchase
- [ ] Yeti market sale
> **Explanation:** "Highway robbery" denotes extreme overcharging, unlike our imaginative beastly transactions.
💡Remember, not every high price requires nostril damage. The wise save money without splitting hairs—or noses! – Penny A. Saver
