cost

Definitions

From Latin cōnstāre (con- 'together' + stāre 'stand'), 'to stand firm' → 'to stand at a price.' What a thing 'stands at' is what it costs. So cost is, surprisingly, a member of the st ('stand') family: the price a thing stands at. The figurative line — the war cost many lives — keeps the idea of what something 'stands you' beyond money.

Why It Means This

It's easy to miss, but cost descends from Latin cōnstāre, 'to stand together / stand at.' The Romans said a thing 'stood at' a certain price the way we still say a price 'stands at' a number. Worn down through Old French coster, it became the everyday cost. The figurative sense — the mistake cost him his job — keeps the original idea of what something 'stands you,' in any currency: money, time, or lives.

Common Collocations

• 1.at all costs不惜一切代价
• 2.cost of living生活成本
• 3.cut costs削减成本
• 4.cost a fortune花一大笔钱
• 5.at the cost of以……为代价

Example Sentences

• 1.

  How much does this jacket cost?

• 2.

  We need to cut the cost of production.

• 3.

  The mistake cost him his job.

• 4.

  They were determined to win at all costs.

Easily Confused

cost vs price vs charge — price is the amount a seller asks (the sticker); cost is what the buyer actually pays out, or more broadly what something takes from you (money, time, lives). charge is the amount billed for a service. A shop sets the price; the item costs you that price; the bank charges a fee.

Synonym Comparison