an arm and a leg
informal

- A very large amount of money

Merriam-Webster

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ORIGIN

Although, the true origin of this idiom is unknown, the following explanation can lead to interesting conversations:

Back in time, portrait painters charged according to the size of their canvas. A head and shoulders painting was the cheapest option, followed in price by one which included arms, and finally the most expensive being full body, with arms and legs.

There are many other, less probable theories, but this one has at least a certain plausibility.

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BEHIND CLOSED DOORS

Shocked at the corruption at every level of bureaucracy, the sales manager complained to his foreign agent:

“This deal is costing us AN ARM AND A LEG in ‘special payments’. Are there no honest people in this administration?”

“Oh yes, indeed...”, answered his smiling agent, “...there are a few honest people,… but they are VERY expensive!”

Stephi Alum - Monkey Business

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SYNONYMS

big-ticket, costs a bomb, costs AN ARM AND A LEG, costs a pretty penny, is very pricey, a steep price, a (small) fortune

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PRACTICE OWAD in an English conversation, say something like:

“Their digital services agency is costing them AN ARM AND A LEG.”

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Paul Smith