a pretty penny | Speak Mango

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a pretty penny

costs a lot · expensive

💡 What's the situation?

This expression is perfect when you want to describe something that costs a significant amount of money, but perhaps you still feel it's worth it! 💰 It's a charming, slightly old-fashioned way of saying 'expensive' without being too blunt. Think of it when you're eyeing that designer bag or a new gadget!

💬 Learn with dialogue!

Wow, Mike, that new watch is gorgeous! It must have been quite the investment.

It truly is! I paid a pretty penny for it, but I just couldn't resist. It's exactly what I wanted.

🍯 Teacher's Tip!

💡 **Grammar Nugget!** You'll often hear this with verbs like 'cost' or 'pay' – e.g., 'That new car cost me a pretty penny!' or 'I paid a pretty penny for this vintage jacket.' It emphasizes the substantial cost. Don't confuse it with literal 'pennies' (cents)! It's about a lot of money, not just a few coins. 😉

🔥 Today's Mission!

Your friend bought a brand new, high-end laptop and mentions it was quite expensive. Which English expression best describes the cost? A. It cost a dime a dozen B. It cost a pretty penny C. It cost peanuts

Check Answer 👇

B

#expensive #cost #idiom #money #shopping

Related Topics

English conversationDaily EnglishOne sentence a dayEnglish expressionSpeak Mangostudy EnglishEnglish learninglearn EnglishShopping Englisha pretty penny meaninga pretty penny definition

📚 How about these expressions?

Is it worth it?

Is it good value for the money? · Does it justify the cost/effort?

What's the situation?

This question often pops into our heads when we're staring at something in a store, weighing the pros and cons. 🤔 It's not just about the price tag; it's about the value, durability, and the sheer joy or utility it might bring. Is it a 'yay' or a 'nay' for your wallet and your life? 💸✨

put it through its paces

test its performance · try it out thoroughly

What's the situation?

Found a new gadget or a snazzy pair of shoes? This phrase is your go-to for describing the exciting moment when you finally get to test out a new purchase or item and see what it can really do! 💪 Whether it's a new smartphone's camera or a car's engine, you want to 'put it through its paces' to make sure it lives up to the hype!

behind the counter

the area in a shop where employees stand to serve customers or keep items · usually a sales or service desk

What's the situation?

Ever wondered where all the cool stuff is kept, or where the staff usually hang out? 🤔 "Behind the counter" is that spot! It's where the magic happens, from ringing up sales to answering your questions. Think of it as the staff's command center! 🏪✨

to come up with the goods

to find or produce what is wanted or needed · to deliver what was promised

What's the situation?

You've been searching high and low for that specific vintage jacket, or perhaps a unique ingredient for a special recipe. When you finally find it, you've definitely **come up with the goods**! 🎉 It's like a mini shopping victory!

shop with purpose

to go shopping with a clear goal · to have a specific list of items to buy

What's the situation?

You know exactly what you need and you're not planning to wander aimlessly! 🎯 This expression is perfect for when you're on a mission to get things done efficiently, avoiding impulse buys and saving precious time. Say goodbye to endless browsing! 👋

feeling the pinch

experiencing financial difficulty · needing to be frugal

What's the situation?

This expression is perfect when you need to be a bit more careful with your money, especially during a shopping trip. 💸 Maybe you've had a few unexpected expenses, or you're just saving up for something big! This phrase says, 'I need to watch my spending!' without sounding like you're in dire straits. 😉

📚 How about these expressions?

Is it worth it?

Is it good value for the money? · Does it justify the cost/effort?

What's the situation?

This question often pops into our heads when we're staring at something in a store, weighing the pros and cons. 🤔 It's not just about the price tag; it's about the value, durability, and the sheer joy or utility it might bring. Is it a 'yay' or a 'nay' for your wallet and your life? 💸✨

put it through its paces

test its performance · try it out thoroughly

What's the situation?

Found a new gadget or a snazzy pair of shoes? This phrase is your go-to for describing the exciting moment when you finally get to test out a new purchase or item and see what it can really do! 💪 Whether it's a new smartphone's camera or a car's engine, you want to 'put it through its paces' to make sure it lives up to the hype!

behind the counter

the area in a shop where employees stand to serve customers or keep items · usually a sales or service desk

What's the situation?

Ever wondered where all the cool stuff is kept, or where the staff usually hang out? 🤔 "Behind the counter" is that spot! It's where the magic happens, from ringing up sales to answering your questions. Think of it as the staff's command center! 🏪✨

to come up with the goods

to find or produce what is wanted or needed · to deliver what was promised

What's the situation?

You've been searching high and low for that specific vintage jacket, or perhaps a unique ingredient for a special recipe. When you finally find it, you've definitely **come up with the goods**! 🎉 It's like a mini shopping victory!

shop with purpose

to go shopping with a clear goal · to have a specific list of items to buy

What's the situation?

You know exactly what you need and you're not planning to wander aimlessly! 🎯 This expression is perfect for when you're on a mission to get things done efficiently, avoiding impulse buys and saving precious time. Say goodbye to endless browsing! 👋

feeling the pinch

experiencing financial difficulty · needing to be frugal

What's the situation?

This expression is perfect when you need to be a bit more careful with your money, especially during a shopping trip. 💸 Maybe you've had a few unexpected expenses, or you're just saving up for something big! This phrase says, 'I need to watch my spending!' without sounding like you're in dire straits. 😉

Is it worth it?

Is it good value for the money? · Does it justify the cost/effort?

What's the situation?

This question often pops into our heads when we're staring at something in a store, weighing the pros and cons. 🤔 It's not just about the price tag; it's about the value, durability, and the sheer joy or utility it might bring. Is it a 'yay' or a 'nay' for your wallet and your life? 💸✨

put it through its paces

test its performance · try it out thoroughly

What's the situation?

Found a new gadget or a snazzy pair of shoes? This phrase is your go-to for describing the exciting moment when you finally get to test out a new purchase or item and see what it can really do! 💪 Whether it's a new smartphone's camera or a car's engine, you want to 'put it through its paces' to make sure it lives up to the hype!

behind the counter

the area in a shop where employees stand to serve customers or keep items · usually a sales or service desk

What's the situation?

Ever wondered where all the cool stuff is kept, or where the staff usually hang out? 🤔 "Behind the counter" is that spot! It's where the magic happens, from ringing up sales to answering your questions. Think of it as the staff's command center! 🏪✨

to come up with the goods

to find or produce what is wanted or needed · to deliver what was promised

What's the situation?

You've been searching high and low for that specific vintage jacket, or perhaps a unique ingredient for a special recipe. When you finally find it, you've definitely **come up with the goods**! 🎉 It's like a mini shopping victory!

shop with purpose

to go shopping with a clear goal · to have a specific list of items to buy

What's the situation?

You know exactly what you need and you're not planning to wander aimlessly! 🎯 This expression is perfect for when you're on a mission to get things done efficiently, avoiding impulse buys and saving precious time. Say goodbye to endless browsing! 👋

feeling the pinch

experiencing financial difficulty · needing to be frugal

What's the situation?

This expression is perfect when you need to be a bit more careful with your money, especially during a shopping trip. 💸 Maybe you've had a few unexpected expenses, or you're just saving up for something big! This phrase says, 'I need to watch my spending!' without sounding like you're in dire straits. 😉

a pretty penny example

costs a lot synonym

another way to say costs a lot

alternatives to costs a lot

expensive synonym

another way to say expensive

alternatives to expensive