Meaning of pay through the nose | Babel Free

Definitions

To pay an exorbitant or excessive amount, either in money or in some other manner.

idiomatic

Equivalents

Examples

“Observe⟳ here the happy estate of our Ancestors under Monarchy, who, if they gained but this advantage […] of receiving a few good Grants, and enjoying a pittance of Freedom, once in 4 or 5 ages when their King was too young to play⟳ Rex, and there hapned a wise and honest Protector; yet were sure to pay⟳ through the nose for it afterwards with double⟳ and treble interest⟳ for forbearance.”

“But vvhen they came to ſeek for Match⟳, and Bullet, and Povvder, there vvas none to be had. The Fanaticks had bought it all up, and made them pay⟳ for it moſt unconſcionably, and through the noſe.”

“[F]armers of the revenue vvere admitted, vvho, far from being gratified for their preſence, as they are in their ovvn aſſemblies, vvere obliged to pay⟳ through the noſe for their reception.”

“[S]he [a lady]'s a mere nobody, as one may ſay, till ſhe can get⟳ herſelf a huſband, being ſhe knovvs nothing of buſineſs, and is made to pay⟳ for every thing through the noſe.”

“Several persons have⟳ already left off snuff-taking, in consequence of the additional duty on tobacco, observing that they have⟳ no idea of paying through the nose for the expence of war.”

“I seem to understand⟳ that this gentleman […] is the fons et origo of the trouble⟳; and, from what I gather, he has already paid through the nose.”

“"You'll pay⟳ through the nose for this, you scoundrel," Sexton whimpered. "I'll fix⟳ you, you traitor."”

“[T]hat fellow would milk the settlements somehow, and make⟳ his family pay⟳ through the nose to keep⟳ him out of bankruptcy or perhaps even gaol!”

“Somebody figured out that a harpooned fish⟳ dies quicker and tastes better than one caught by the long-liners' nets. Whole Foods pays through the nose for it, all over the country. So do restaurants.”

“At a time when other entertainment is available at a sliver of the price from Netflix and other streaming services, live⟳ sport is the only thing left to induce viewers to pay⟳ through the nose for pay-TV.”

CEFR level