What is the origin of the phrase pay through the nose?

What is the origin of the phrase pay through the nose?

The origin of the phrase pay through the nose is quite murky, though it seems to be associated in some way to the paying of taxes. When the Danes conquered Ireland in the ninth century, they took a census by “counting noses”. Exorbitant taxes were imposed on each “nose”, thus one had to pay through the nose.

What does pay thru the nose mean?

If you say that you paid through the nose for something, you are emphasizing that you had to pay what you consider too high a price for it. [informal, emphasis]

What does on the nose expression mean?

Exactly, precisely; especially, at the appointed time or estimated amount. For example, The busload of students arrived at the museum at ten o’clock right on the nose, or He guessed the final score on the nose. This term, like on the button, may come from boxing, where the opponent’s nose is a highly desired target. [

What is the meaning of robbing Peter to pay Paul?

Definition of rob Peter to pay Paul : to take money that was meant for one person or thing and use it to pay someone else or to pay for something else.

What is the meaning of live from hand to mouth?

DEFINITIONS1. to have just enough money or food to stay alive. Synonyms and related words. To have just enough money.

Why is it called tongue in cheek?

The phrase appears in 1828 in The Fair Maid of Perth by Sir Walter Scott: The fellow who gave this all-hail thrust his tongue in his cheek to some scapegraces like himself. The ironic usage originates with the idea of suppressed mirth—biting one’s tongue to prevent an outburst of laughter.

What does off the cuff mean in slang?

: not prepared in advance : spontaneous, informal off-the-cuff remarks.

Where did the term petered out originate?

1846 US miners’ slang, from 1812 peter (“to become exhausted”). Various speculative etymologies have been suggested, either from St. Peter (from the sense of “rock”), French péter (“to fart”), or saltpeter (ingredient in gunpowder, hence used in mining).

Where does pay the piper come from?

Pay the piper comes from the famous 1842 poem by Robert Browning, The Pied Piper of Hamelin. The story is about a German town called Hamelin which, after years of contentment, was suddenly plagued by a huge increase in the rat population, probably due to some plague or poison which had killed all the cats.

What does cut to the bone mean?

Definition of cut to the bone : reduced to the lowest possible amount The company’s expenses had been cut to the bone.

Where did the term pay through the nose come from?

Pay an excessive amount for something, as in We paid through the nose for that vacation. The origin of this term has been lost. Possibly it alludes to the Danish nose tax, imposed in Ireland in the 9th century, whereby delinquent taxpayers were punished by having their noses slit. [Second half of 1600s]

Do you pay through the nose for food?

To pay an exorbitant amount of money (for something), especially more than is reasonable. You can get pretty good meals on airplanes these days, but you’re going to pay through the nose.

Where did the expression to be charged an enormous price come from?

To be charged an enormous price. The origin of this expression has been lost. One writer suggests it may come from the Danish nose tax, imposed in Ireland in the ninth century and so called because delinquent taxpayers were punished by having their noses slit.

Do you have to pay through the nose for University?

Universities are actually free for citizens in this country, but because I immigrated here I have to pay through the nose for my degree. Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2015 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.