pretty penny

USAGE SUMMARY

"pretty penny" is a commonly used phrase in written English.
It is usually used to describe something that is expensive. For example, "This watch cost me a pretty penny."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

That's still a pretty penny.

The New York Times

You know, don't waste a pretty penny.

The New Yorker

Which are now worth a pretty penny.

The New York Times

A pretty penny that's worth paying?

Independent

In 1989 dollars that's quite a pretty penny.

The New York Times

"That thing is worth a pretty penny," he said.

The New York Times

Prints of their paintings also earned them a pretty penny.

The New York Times

Or "Aye, that'll fetch thee a pretty penny".

The Guardian - Film

That must have cost the NHS a pretty penny.

The Guardian - Business

The meaning of the scene hinges on that seemingly artless repetition of "pretty penny".

The New Yorker

"They were a pretty penny," said Mr. Alexander, 26, referring to the YSL's.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "pretty penny" when you want to emphasize that something is surprisingly or unexpectedly expensive. It adds a touch of informal flair to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "pretty penny" in highly formal or technical contexts. While the phrase is widely understood, it can sound out of place in environments that demand a strictly professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "pretty penny" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object of a verb like "cost" or "worth". Ludwig AI confirms that it indicates a significant sum of money. Examples in Ludwig show it describing the value of items or the cost of services.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Formal & Business

13%

Wiki

12%

Less common in

Science

3%

Reference

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "pretty penny" is a common idiom used to describe something expensive. Ludwig AI confirms its frequent use in written English, particularly in contexts where the cost is significant. While grammatically sound and widely understood, it's best suited for neutral to slightly informal settings. Alternatives like "considerable sum" or "significant expense" can be used for more formal tones. Be mindful of the subtle difference between this phrase and ones like "costs an arm and a leg", which indicates an even higher cost. Its prevalence in News & Media, Formal & Business, and Wiki sources makes it a versatile phrase for conveying cost in various scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

considerable sum

Focuses on the amount of money being substantial.

hefty price tag

Highlights the high cost associated with an item or service.

significant expense

Emphasizes the financial outlay involved.

substantial cost

Similar to significant expense, focusing on the cost.

large investment

Indicates money spent with the expectation of future returns or value.

dear price

An older, slightly more formal way of saying something is expensive.

fortune

Implies a very large amount of money was spent or something is worth a great deal.

king's ransom

Suggests an extremely high price, often in an exaggerated way.

arm and a leg

Idiomatic expression for something very costly.

exorbitant fee

Focuses on the fee being excessively high.

FAQs

How can I use "pretty penny" in a sentence?

You can use "pretty penny" to indicate that something is expensive. For example, "That vintage car cost him a "pretty penny"."

What's a more formal way to say "pretty penny"?

More formal alternatives include "considerable sum", "significant expense", or "substantial cost".

Is it correct to say "cost a pretty pound" instead of "pretty penny"?

While the structure is similar, "pretty pound" is not a common idiom. "Pretty penny" is the established phrase to indicate a considerable sum of money.

What does it mean when something "costs an arm and a leg" compared to costing a "pretty penny"?

While both phrases indicate high cost, "costs an arm and a leg" suggests an even more exorbitant price than ""pretty penny"". The former is more hyperbolic.