On this program we teach common words and expressions in American English . Some things in life are free . Other things cost a little money . And many other things cost us a lot . On today's program we will talk about that last group . Things that cost a lot are expensive . We often do not mind paying a lot for high quality goods or services . Some things are just worth it . But a few things have unreasonably high price tags . I am sure we have all paid way too much for something at some point in our lives . To describe situations like these , we often use two expressions involving body parts . Each of these expressions has a verb . But one of them is more active . It is to pay through the nose . The other expression is to cost an arm and a leg . Here , the verb “cost ” is more passive . Both sayings mean to pay a lot – in fact , too much money – for something . For example , if you paid an unreasonably high price for the latest computer , you paid through the nose . You can also say the new computer cost an arm and a leg . For our next example , let's get on a plane and go on a trip ! Traveling is often expensive , especially if you do not plan ahead . When booking a flight at the last minute , it can cost you an arm and a leg . And if you stay in the best hotels in big cities like London , Rome , or Tokyo , you will most likely pay through the nose . Now , let's hear another example . Wow , I love your car ! What year is it ? It is a 1968 Ford Mustang . I bet you paid through the nose to get it fixed up . Actually , I did most of the work myself . So , that saved me a ton of money . What about finding parts ? Old car parts can cost an arm and a leg . The car had most of its original parts . And my sister had some extra Mustang parts . So , she gave them to me . That saved money , too ! You are so lucky . Most people pay a lot for a car like this . I didn't pay the high price tag that usually comes with a 1968 Mustang . But luck only played a small part . I worked really hard on this car ! You just heard how the two “body part ” expressions can be used . But where did these expressions come from ? Well , word historians are not so sure . The saying “to cost an arm and a leg ” may have come from soldiers returning from war . Those missing arms or legs were said to have paid a very high price . To pay through the nose may come from paying taxes . In some cultures , tax collectors were said to count people's noses to get an idea of how many people lived in a town or village . Again , this word origin is debated among word historians . Remember … some English teaching products can cost you an arm and a leg . Our stories and videos are free . There's no need to pay through the nose to learn English with us !