charge a mint for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "charge a mint for" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that something is being sold at a very high price or cost. Example: "The restaurant charges a mint for their signature dish, but it's worth every penny."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

But maybe you'll be able to charge a mint for it on eBay some day.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Tresviri monetales were in charge of the mint for Rome and Italy during both the republic and the empire.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Mint, part of Royal Bank of Scotland, has become the latest card provider to charge a fee for the 0% balance transfer deal on a Mint card.

The Guardian - Money

By the way, would you care for a mint?

The New York Times

See How to make a mint julep for a variation.

WikiHow

Buy a specialized mint for your favorite drinks.

WikiHow

Charge a decent price for your services.

WikiHow

Look for a mint mark.

WikiHow

Place a mint leaf on top for a garnish.

WikiHow

For a mint flavor add a bit of peppermint extract.

WikiHow

Have a mint before going in for the kiss.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "charge a mint for" when you want to emphasize that something is very expensive and perhaps overpriced. The phrase is suitable for informal contexts and adds a touch of color to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "charge a mint for" in formal or professional contexts where a more precise or neutral description of pricing is required. This idiom is best suited for conveying a sense of outrage or disbelief at a high price.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "charge a mint for" functions as an idiomatic verb phrase. It modifies the verb "charge" to emphasize the excessive amount being asked for something. As Ludwig AI suggests, it's used to describe a situation where the price is considered very high.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Encyclopedias

33%

Wiki

33%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The idiom "charge a mint for" is used to describe something as excessively expensive. While grammatically correct, Ludwig AI marks its frequency as rare. Its register is informal and primarily found in News & Media, Encyclopedias and Wiki. Alternatives include ""charge an arm and a leg for"" or ""charge a fortune for"". When writing, remember to avoid this idiom in formal contexts and to use it when the price being charged is truly perceived as outrageous.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

charge an arm and a leg for

Emphasizes the excessive cost of something.

charge a fortune for

Highlights the significant expense involved.

charge exorbitant prices for

Focuses on the unreasonable nature of the price.

charge excessively for

Directly states the act of overcharging.

overcharge for

Implies a price higher than what is reasonable or fair.

gouge someone for

Suggests unfair overcharging or exploitation.

price something sky-high

Emphasizes the extreme level of pricing.

rip someone off for

Implies dishonesty and deception in pricing.

charge top dollar for

Indicates a premium price, often for high quality.

demand a high price for

Focuses on the seller's insistence on a substantial payment.

FAQs

What does it mean to "charge a mint for" something?

To "charge a mint for" something means to charge a very high price for it. It implies that the price is perhaps unreasonably high. You can use alternatives like "charge an arm and a leg for" or "charge a fortune for".

Is "charge a mint for" an appropriate phrase to use in formal writing?

No, the phrase "charge a mint for" is generally considered informal. In formal writing, it's better to use more neutral language like "charge a high price" or "charge exorbitant prices".

What's the difference between "charge a mint for" and "rip someone off for"?

"Charge a mint for" simply indicates a high price. "Rip someone off for" implies dishonesty or deception in the pricing, suggesting that the price is unfairly inflated.

Are there other ways to express the idea of something being very expensive?

Yes, you can say something "costs a fortune", is "exorbitantly priced", or "costs an arm and a leg" to convey that it is very expensive.