Pay through the nose meaning

To "pay through the nose" means to overpay significantly for something.


Pay through the nose definitions

Word backwards yap hguorht eht eson
Part of speech The part of speech of the word "pay" is a verb in this idiom "pay through the nose".
Syllabic division pay through the nose: pay / through / the / nose
Plural The plural of the phrase "pay through the nose" is "pays through the nose".
Total letters 17
Vogais (4) a,o,u,e
Consonants (8) p,y,t,h,r,g,n,s

When someone says they had to pay through the nose, they are describing a situation where they had to pay an exorbitant amount of money for something. This idiom implies that the price they paid was much higher than expected or reasonable.

Origins of the Phrase

The origin of the expression "pay through the nose" is believed to come from a historical practice in Ireland. During the 9th century, the Danes occupied a part of Ireland and imposed a tax on the locals. Those who did not pay their taxes had their noses slit open, hence the phrase "pay through the nose."

Usage in Modern Times

In modern times, the phrase has evolved to convey a sense of overpaying or being charged an excessive amount for something. It is commonly used in situations where the cost of a product or service is considered too high or unreasonable.

Examples of Usage

For example, if someone had to pay an arm and a leg for a designer handbag, they might say they had to pay through the nose for it. Similarly, if a homeowner had to shell out a significant amount of money for a minor repair, they could use this phrase to express their frustration.

Overall, "paying through the nose" is a colorful way to describe a situation where one has to pay a high price for something. It captures the feeling of being taken advantage of or having no choice but to fork over a large sum of money.


Pay through the nose Examples

  1. She had to pay through the nose for that designer handbag.
  2. If you want to buy a house in this neighborhood, be prepared to pay through the nose.
  3. I don't mind paying through the nose for a once-in-a-lifetime experience like this.
  4. You'll have to pay through the nose if you want front-row seats at the concert.
  5. I refuse to pay through the nose for a cup of coffee at that fancy cafe.
  6. They always make you pay through the nose for parking in this city.
  7. I'm not willing to pay through the nose for a brand-name clothing item.
  8. It's ridiculous how much they make you pay through the nose for international shipping.
  9. Don't be surprised if you have to pay through the nose for a hotel room during peak season.
  10. Sometimes you have to pay through the nose for quality service.


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  • Updated 17/04/2024 - 11:18:55