YouTube20 Nov 2025
17m

2517 - Did You Spend a Fortune? How to Talk About Your Expensive Purchases

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All Ears English

In this episode of the All Ears English podcast, Michelle and Lindsay discuss the expression "to cost a fortune," prompted by a listener's question. They explore what it means for something to be considered very expensive, even for relatively small items like avocado toast or coffee, and how the phrase is used in different contexts. They differentiate between "a fortune" and "a small fortune," and share personal anecdotes about encountering overpriced items. Additionally, they delve into other uses of the word "fortune" in expressions like "fame and fortune," "to make a fortune," and "to tell someone's fortune," providing examples and context for each. The episode concludes with a roleplay demonstrating the use of the expression in everyday conversation and a preview of a future episode about how to respond when something is too expensive.

Outlines

Part 1: Context, Real-World Examples

Part 2: Core Expression, Definitions

Part 3: Consumer Behavior, Grammar

Part 4: Related Idioms, Anecdotes

Part 5: Application, Summary

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