pay through the nose
To pay too much for something
Littéralement: To give money through your nostrils
Use this when you feel the price you paid was painfully high and somewhat unfair.
En 15 secondes
- Used when something is way too expensive.
- Implies you feel cheated or overcharged.
- Best for venting about bills or high costs.
Signification
It means you are paying a price that is way too high. You feel like the cost is unfair or extremely expensive.
Exemples clés
3 sur 6Complaining about rent
I'm paying through the nose for this tiny apartment in London.
I am paying a huge amount for this small flat.
Talking about car repairs
The mechanic made me pay through the nose for a simple oil change.
The mechanic charged me way too much for an oil change.
Discussing a business trip
We had to pay through the nose for last-minute flights to the conference.
We paid a very high price for the late flights.
Contexte culturel
The phrase likely dates back to the 9th century during the Viking occupation of Ireland. The Danes imposed a 'Nose Tax' on the Irish, and those who failed to pay suffered the gruesome penalty of having their noses slit. Over centuries, the phrase evolved from a literal threat into a common metaphor for excessive prices.
The 'Unfair' Factor
Only use this when you feel the price is higher than it should be. If you buy a Ferrari, you don't pay through the nose; you're just rich!
British vs American
This phrase is equally popular in the UK and the US. You can use it anywhere English is spoken and people will understand your frustration.
En 15 secondes
- Used when something is way too expensive.
- Implies you feel cheated or overcharged.
- Best for venting about bills or high costs.
What It Means
Imagine buying a coffee that costs twenty dollars. You would feel a bit of pain, right? Pay through the nose describes that exact feeling. It means paying an exorbitant or unreasonable amount of money. It is not just about being expensive. It is about feeling like you are being overcharged. You use it when you have no other choice.
How To Use It
You use this phrase as a verb. You can say you paid through the nose for something. You can also say you are paying through the nose. It usually follows the word for. For example, I paid through the nose for these concert tickets. It sounds very natural in spoken English. It adds a bit of drama to your story.
When To Use It
Use it when complaining about high prices. It is perfect for talking about rent in big cities. Use it when discussing repair bills for your car. It works well when venting to a friend. You might use it in a text message. For example, Had to pay through the nose for a taxi last night! It emphasizes your frustration.
When NOT To Use It
Do not use this in a formal business contract. It is too colorful for legal documents. Avoid using it if the price was actually fair. If you bought a luxury yacht, you did not pay through the nose. You just spent a lot of money. Using it for cheap items sounds strange. Do not say it to the person charging you. It might sound too aggressive or rude.
Cultural Background
This idiom has been around for a long time. Some say it comes from an old Viking tax. If people did not pay, they had their noses slit. That is a very literal and painful origin! Today, the physical pain is gone. However, the feeling of a 'painful' price remains. It is a staple of British and American English.
Common Variations
There are not many variations of this specific phrase. You must keep the nose in there. You cannot say pay through the ear. However, you can use similar idioms. You might hear pay an arm and a leg. Another one is shell out. But pay through the nose is the most descriptive for 'overpaying'.
Notes d'usage
This is a B2-level idiom that is perfect for adding flavor to your spoken English. It is informal and carries a strong emotional tone of dissatisfaction.
The 'Unfair' Factor
Only use this when you feel the price is higher than it should be. If you buy a Ferrari, you don't pay through the nose; you're just rich!
British vs American
This phrase is equally popular in the UK and the US. You can use it anywhere English is spoken and people will understand your frustration.
Don't change the body part
Even though 'pay an arm and a leg' exists, you can't mix them. Never say 'pay through the leg'—it will confuse everyone!
Exemples
6I'm paying through the nose for this tiny apartment in London.
I am paying a huge amount for this small flat.
Commonly used for unavoidable high costs like housing.
The mechanic made me pay through the nose for a simple oil change.
The mechanic charged me way too much for an oil change.
Expresses frustration at being taken advantage of.
We had to pay through the nose for last-minute flights to the conference.
We paid a very high price for the late flights.
Acceptable in a professional but relaxed conversation.
The drinks were great but we paid through the nose for them!
The drinks were expensive but good.
Hyperbolic and common in social texting.
I paid through the nose for dinner and he didn't even say thank you.
I spent a lot on dinner and got no gratitude.
Adds a touch of dramatic humor to a bad story.
If you go to that hotel during peak season, you'll pay through the nose.
You will pay a very high price if you go then.
Used as a warning about known high costs.
Teste-toi
Complete the sentence with the correct idiom.
I had to ___ for these tickets because I bought them from a reseller.
The correct idiom is 'pay through the nose', meaning to pay an excessive amount.
Choose the best context for this phrase.
Which situation fits 'paying through the nose'?
Paying $15 for water is an example of an unreasonable and excessive price.
🎉 Score : /2
Aides visuelles
Formality Scale
Get ripped off
I got ripped off at the club.
Pay through the nose
I paid through the nose for this.
Overpay
I overpaid for the service.
Exorbitant costs
The costs incurred were exorbitant.
When to say it
Emergency Repairs
Plumber on a Sunday
Tourist Traps
Ice cream near the Eiffel Tower
Last Minute
Hotel during a big festival
City Living
Monthly parking fees
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsNot literally, but it implies a similar level of discomfort. It suggests the cost is physically painful to your bank account.
No, it is only for bad deals. If you got a bargain, you definitely didn't pay through the nose.
Yes, it can be seen as an accusation. Use it to talk *about* the price to friends, not *to* the person selling the item.
Only if the email is to a close colleague. In a formal report to a CEO, use exorbitant costs instead.
Yes, just change pay to paid. For example: We paid through the nose for that dinner.
Yes, if the price is relatively insane. Like paying $10 for a single apple.
Very similar! Cost an arm and a leg focuses on the price tag, while pay through the nose focuses on the act of you giving the money.
Some people say paying out the nose, but through is the standard and most recognized version.
No, it's quite old, but it hasn't lost its popularity. It still sounds very natural today.
No, this idiom is strictly for financial costs. For time, you might say it took forever.
Expressions liées
Cost an arm and a leg
To be extremely expensive.
Shell out
To pay for something, usually unwillingly.
Rip-off
Something that is much more expensive than it should be.
Fork over
To hand over money, often reluctantly.
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