Sometimes, things cost a lot of money. Instead of just saying “It’s expensive,” people often use fun phrases to explain it better. These special phrases are called metaphors. A metaphor compares one thing to something else. This helps us imagine what the person really means.
In this article, we’ll look at different metaphors for expensive. These help us picture just how costly something is. You’ll see how money, value, and price can be described in interesting ways. Whether it’s about buying shoes or going to a concert, these phrases will make your words more fun and clear. Let’s learn some of them now.
Metaphors for Expensive
1. A hole in your wallet
Meaning: Something that costs too much.
Example: That concert ticket left a hole in my wallet. / Buying those sneakers left a hole in his wallet.
Put Differently: It cost more than I wanted to spend. / That item was way too pricey.
2. Cost an arm and a leg
Meaning: Very expensive.
Example: That bike cost me an arm and a leg. / Her new phone cost an arm and a leg.
Put Differently: It was super costly. / It took a lot of money.
3. Break the bank
Meaning: To spend more money than you can afford.
Example: The school trip almost broke the bank. / Buying that video game could break the bank.
Put Differently: It’s way over my budget. / Too much money for me.
4. Pricey as gold
Meaning: Very costly, like something made of gold.
Example: That dress is pricey as gold. / The snack at the fair was pricey as gold.
Put Differently: It’s really expensive. / It costs a lot more than expected.
5. Feels like a treasure
Meaning: So costly it feels like it’s made of treasure.
Example: That painting feels like a treasure. / Her necklace looks like a treasure.
Put Differently: It seems super valuable. / It must cost a fortune.
6. Like burning money
Meaning: Wasting a lot of money.
Example: Buying snacks every day is like burning money. / That toy broke fast—it was like burning money.
Put Differently: It wasn’t worth the price. / Money gone fast.
7. Worth its weight in gold
Meaning: Very valuable.
Example: That laptop is worth its weight in gold. / Her piano lessons are worth their weight in gold.
Put Differently: Totally worth the high cost. / Very valuable and useful.
8. Like buying a castle
Meaning: Extremely expensive.
Example: That bag was like buying a castle. / Their hotel room was like buying a castle.
Put Differently: It cost way too much. / Like something only rich people buy.
9. A wallet drainer
Meaning: Something that empties your money.
Example: Eating out every night is a wallet drainer. / That theme park is a wallet drainer.
Put Differently: It takes all your money. / It’s too much spending.
10. Shines like a diamond
Meaning: Looks fancy and expensive.
Example: Her dress shines like a diamond. / The car shines like a diamond.
Put Differently: It looks very fancy. / It looks really valuable.
11. Like handing over treasure
Meaning: Costs so much it feels like giving away treasure.
Example: That ticket felt like handing over treasure. / That bracelet was like handing over treasure.
Put Differently: So expensive it hurts to pay. / Hard to afford.
12. More than a king’s feast
Meaning: Costs more than a big royal meal.
Example: Dinner there was more than a king’s feast. / That toy was more than a king’s feast.
Put Differently: Very overpriced. / Cost too much for what it is.
13. A mountain of dollars
Meaning: A very high price.
Example: His shoes cost a mountain of dollars. / That concert cost a mountain of dollars.
Put Differently: Way too expensive. / It costs a lot.
14. Dressed in dollar bills
Meaning: Something that looks expensive.
Example: She walked in dressed in dollar bills. / His jacket looked dressed in dollar bills.
Put Differently: Their clothes looked very costly. / Expensive style.
15. Like a rich man’s toy
Meaning: Something only very rich people can buy.
Example: That car is like a rich man’s toy. / Her necklace is like a rich man’s toy.
Put Differently: Too fancy and costly. / Not for most people.
16. Out of pocket
Meaning: Spending too much money on something.
Example: I was out of pocket after the field trip. / We’re out of pocket after buying supplies.
Put Differently: We spent too much. / More than we planned.
17. Like buying the moon
Meaning: So expensive, it’s almost impossible.
Example: That video game is like buying the moon. / Those shoes are like buying the moon.
Put Differently: It’s really expensive. / Not easy to afford.
18. Dripping with cash
Meaning: Something very expensive-looking.
Example: That coat is dripping with cash. / His watch is dripping with cash.
Put Differently: It looks costly. / It seems super fancy.
19. Gold plated price
Meaning: The cost is as high as if it were made of gold.
Example: That pizza had a gold-plated price. / The bracelet came with a gold-plated price.
Put Differently: The price was too high. / Cost more than expected.
20. A bank buster
Meaning: It uses up too much money.
Example: The amusement park was a bank-buster. / That new phone is a bank-buster.
Put Differently: Too costly for your wallet. / You pay a lot for it.
21. Like tossing dollars in the air
Meaning: Spending money carelessly.
Example: Buying candy every day is like tossing dollars in the air. / That broken toy was like tossing dollars in the air.
Put Differently: Wasting money. / Not a smart buy.
22. Made of gold
Meaning: Very expensive and valuable.
Example: That backpack looks like it’s made of gold. / Her shoes seem made of gold.
Put Differently: Looks very fancy and costly. / Too expensive.
23. A wallet stretcher
Meaning: Makes you spend more than you should.
Example: That jacket is a wallet stretcher. / Going to the movies every weekend is a wallet stretcher.
Put Differently: Makes your money go fast. / Hard on your budget.
24. Feels like buying a unicorn
Meaning: Rare and too expensive.
Example: That comic book feels like buying a unicorn. / Those sneakers feel like buying a unicorn.
Put Differently: So rare and pricey. / Costs too much for most.
25. Fancy as a crown
Meaning: Very expensive-looking.
Example: Her ring is fancy as a crown. / That dress was fancy as a crown.
Put Differently: Looks like it cost a lot. / Very royal and shiny.
26. Empty your piggy bank
Meaning: Costs all your saved money.
Example: That trip emptied my piggy bank. / The new bike emptied his piggy bank.
Put Differently: Spent all my savings. / Used up every coin.
27. Feels like a bank loan
Meaning: So expensive it feels like borrowing money.
Example: That gadget feels like a bank loan. / The event tickets feel like a bank loan.
Put Differently: Costs way too much. / Like you need to borrow just to buy it.
28. Rich taste
Meaning: Very expensive and fancy.
Example: That cake has a rich taste. / Her outfit had rich taste.
Put Differently: Looks and feels costly. / Very fancy and fine.
29. Weighs in gold
Meaning: As pricey as its weight in gold.
Example: That statue weighs in gold. / The headphones weigh in gold.
Put Differently: Too expensive. / Costs a lot.
30. Crown jewel
Meaning: Something very costly and prized.
Example: That car is the crown jewel of the garage. / Her purse is her crown jewel.
Put Differently: Very special and expensive. / The fanciest thing they have.
31. Like a fortune cookie with the fortune inside
Meaning: Looks simple but costs a lot.
Example: That small ring is like a fortune cookie—with the fortune inside. / That tiny gift was like a fortune cookie.
Put Differently: Looks small, costs a lot. / Not cheap at all.
32. Like a dollar sign walking
Meaning: Looks rich or very expensive.
Example: He looked like a dollar sign walking. / Her outfit was like a dollar sign walking.
Put Differently: Seemed super rich. / Very costly-looking.
33. Like wearing a vault
Meaning: Wearing something extremely expensive.
Example: Her coat is like wearing a vault. / That necklace is like wearing a vault.
Put Differently: Very pricey clothes. / Fancy and rich-looking.
34. Too rich for my taste
Meaning: Too expensive for me.
Example: That toy is too rich for my taste. / Those sneakers are too rich for my taste.
Put Differently: I can’t afford that. / That’s too much money.
35. Like buying a rainbow
Meaning: Pretty, rare, and expensive.
Example: That dress is like buying a rainbow. / The shoes are like buying a rainbow.
Put Differently: Very colorful and pricey. / Looks great, costs too much.
36. Like filling a pool with dollars
Meaning: Spending a huge amount of money.
Example: That party felt like filling a pool with dollars. / Their house costs like filling a pool with dollars.
Put Differently: So expensive it’s wild. / Big money spent.
37. Flashing with fortune
Meaning: Showing off expensive items.
Example: His outfit was flashing with fortune. / That car was flashing with fortune.
Put Differently: Looks very rich. / Cost a lot of money.
38. Like a price tag with wings
Meaning: Costs a lot and goes fast.
Example: That toy is like a price tag with wings. / The ice cream shop is like a price tag with wings.
Put Differently: Money goes quickly. / Too expensive and short-lasting.
39. Like tossing coins in a fountain
Meaning: Small costs add up to a big amount.
Example: Buying snacks every day is like tossing coins in a fountain. / That game app is like tossing coins in a fountain.
Put Differently: Little by little, it adds up. / Ends up expensive.
40. As rare as a money tree
Meaning: Costs so much it feels impossible.
Example: That toy is as rare as a money tree. / Those tickets are as rare as a money tree.
Put Differently: So pricey, it’s hard to get. / Like something you dream about.
“Rewrite the Sentence” Activity:Metaphors for Expensive
Below are 10 sentences that talk about spending or buying things. They don’t use any metaphors. Try rewriting each sentence using one of the metaphors you learned earlier. Make your new sentence sound natural.
Sentences to Rewrite
- I spent all my savings on that video game.
- Her shoes cost more than I thought they would.
- That concert ticket was really expensive.
- We used a lot of money on the school fundraiser.
- His jacket looked very fancy and costly.
- That ice cream wasn’t worth the price.
- My backpack was more expensive than I planned.
- They spent too much on the birthday party.
- Buying snacks every day is not cheap.
- That toy looks really fancy, like something only rich people buy.
Answer Key
- That video game emptied my piggy bank.
- Her shoes cost an arm and a leg.
- That concert ticket left a hole in my wallet.
- The school fundraiser almost broke the bank.
- His jacket was dripping with cash.
- That ice cream was like burning money.
- My backpack was a wallet stretcher.
- The birthday party felt like filling a pool with dollars.
- Buying snacks every day is like tossing coins in a fountain.
- That toy is like a rich man’s toy.
Conclusion
Talking about expensive things can be fun when we use creative phrases. These metaphors help us share how something feels when it costs a lot. They can make our stories more interesting and easier to understand.
Now that you know some ways to describe expensive items, try using them when you write or talk. They’ll help your words sound more colorful and smart. Keep learning and enjoy using new ways to say big ideas with simple words.
