1. if you can get something at a price, you have to pay a lot of money for it.

Forged passports are available, at a price.

2. if you can get something at a price, you have to accept something unpleasant in order to get it.

Progress has been achieved, but at a price. Many who worked on farms and in factories are now without jobs.

• the roof falls in
• the rot sets in
• the rough and tumble of
• the rough and tumble of something
• the rub of the green
• the ... rung on the ladder
• the salt of the earth
• the same old same old
• the same old thing
• the same to you
• the scales fall from eyes.
• the scales fall from someone's eyes.
• the scene is set for
• the scene is set for something
• the school of hard knocks
• the scum of the earth
• the seven year itch
• the shape of things to come
• the sharp end
• the shit hits the fan
• the shit out of
• the shit out of you
• the shoe is on the other foot
• the show must go on.
• the silent majority