- Spanish Word of The Day
- Posts
- Spanish word of the day: Costar un ojo de la cara
Spanish word of the day: Costar un ojo de la cara
You might hear this one at the mall

What does costar un ojo de la cara mean?
Costar un ojo de la cara (idiomatic expression) – This popular Spanish idiom literally means "to cost an eye from the face," but it’s used to say that something is very expensive or costs a fortune. It’s the perfect phrase to describe purchases or expenses that feel outrageously high.
Example sentences with costar un ojo de la cara
Ese coche nuevo me costó un ojo de la cara.
🚗💸 That new car cost me an arm and a leg.La reparación de la casa nos costó un ojo de la cara.
🏠🔧 The house repair cost us a fortune.Comprar entradas para el concierto me costó un ojo de la cara.
🎟️😱 Buying tickets for the concert cost me a fortune.
This idiom uses the verb costar. If you need to remember how to conjugate it, our conjugation charts can help with that!

Need help with your Spanish?
If you are struggling with conjugations or conversation, our native tutors can help. Start with a free 15-minute chat with our education advisor who'll match you with the perfect tutor for your needs. Fill out the quick form below and we'll reach out in 24 hours!
|
Costar un ojo de la cara in context
You’ll hear costar un ojo de la cara in everyday Spanish when people talk about things that are very expensive or when they want to emphasize how much something cost. It’s a colorful and expressive way to complain or comment about high prices, whether it’s for shopping, bills, or unexpected expenses.
If you want to sound natural in Spanish, use costar un ojo de la cara whenever you want to highlight that something is outrageously costly. It’s a phrase that adds personality and emotion to your conversations about money and value.
See you tomorrow with a new Spanish word!
—Teacher Víctor