pay through the nose (for something)

pay through the nose (for something)

To pay an exorbitant amount of money (for something), especially more than is reasonable. You can get pretty good meals on airplanes these days, but you're going to pay through the nose. Universities are actually free for citizens in this country, but because I immigrated here I have to pay through the nose for my degree.
See also: nose, pay, through
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

pay through the nose

(for something) Go to pay an arm and a leg (for something).
See also: nose, pay, through
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.

pay through the nose

Pay an excessive amount for something, as in We paid through the nose for that vacation. The origin of this term has been lost. Possibly it alludes to the Danish nose tax, imposed in Ireland in the 9th century, whereby delinquent taxpayers were punished by having their noses slit. [Second half of 1600s]
See also: nose, pay, through
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.

pay through the nose

INFORMAL
If you pay through the nose for something, you pay more for it than is fair or reasonable. Some restaurant owners have even noticed that we do not like paying through the nose for our wines when eating out. It looks as though those taking out new insurance policies on their houses will be paying through the nose.
See also: nose, pay, through
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed.

pay through the nose

pay much more than a fair price. informal
1998 Country Life We pay a lot of money for a fairly ordinary garment in order to advertise a name that is only well-known because we pay through the nose for the huge advertising budget.
See also: nose, pay, through
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

pay through the ˈnose (for something)

(informal) pay a very high price for something: Why pay through the nose for a used car? Come to Smith’s for prices you can afford!
See also: nose, pay, through
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

pay through the nose

Informal
To pay excessively.
See also: nose, pay, through
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition.
See also:
  • pay through the nose
  • pay an arm and a leg
  • pay an arm and a leg (for something)
  • put (one) to great expense
  • pay the penalty for (something)
  • pay-for-play
  • pay out of pocket
  • pay (for something) out of pocket
  • pay-to-play
  • make (one) pay through the nose