cost (someone) dearly/dear
idiom
: to cause (someone) to lose something or to suffer a lot
Changing your mind now could cost you dearly.
Examples of cost (someone) dearly/dear in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Companies that fail to take workers’ desire for flexibility have paid the cost dearly.
—
Jane Thier, Fortune, 23 July 2024
Resource constraints: Capital, skilled labor, and credibility in supplier and customer networks are just some commodities that are either lacking or cost dearly in the early stages of a new business.
—Melissa Houston, Forbes, 13 Feb. 2024
The Chiefs still had issues Sunday night — Mecole Hardman fumbled a ball out of the end zone for a late touchback, which could have cost dearly.
—Dave Skretta, USA TODAY, 22 Jan. 2024
Key sequence: Pinson Valley played inspired defense as Clay-Chalkville had not scored less than 42 points in a game this season, but the offense’s inability to move the ball consistently cost dearly.
—Cameron Buford | Cbuford@al.com, al, 10 Sep. 2022
The penalty on Tavon Young late in the game almost cost dearly.
—Mike Preston, baltimoresun.com, 12 Oct. 2021
And without second-chance opportunities, their cold shooting down the stretch cost dearly.
—Dave Skretta, ajc, 19 Mar. 2021
One family might prefer cheap insurance with less coverage, knowing full well that an emergency room visit will cost dearly.
—Jinjoo Lee, WSJ, 26 Feb. 2021
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Jane Thier, Fortune, 23 July 2024
Resource constraints: Capital, skilled labor, and credibility in supplier and customer networks are just some commodities that are either lacking or cost dearly in the early stages of a new business.
—Melissa Houston, Forbes, 13 Feb. 2024
The Chiefs still had issues Sunday night — Mecole Hardman fumbled a ball out of the end zone for a late touchback, which could have cost dearly.
—Dave Skretta, USA TODAY, 22 Jan. 2024
Key sequence: Pinson Valley played inspired defense as Clay-Chalkville had not scored less than 42 points in a game this season, but the offense’s inability to move the ball consistently cost dearly.
—Cameron Buford | Cbuford@al.com, al, 10 Sep. 2022
The penalty on Tavon Young late in the game almost cost dearly.
—Mike Preston, baltimoresun.com, 12 Oct. 2021
And without second-chance opportunities, their cold shooting down the stretch cost dearly.
—Dave Skretta, ajc, 19 Mar. 2021
One family might prefer cheap insurance with less coverage, knowing full well that an emergency room visit will cost dearly.
—Jinjoo Lee, WSJ, 26 Feb. 2021
Cite this Entry
“Cost (someone) dearly/dear.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cost%20%28someone%29%20dearly%2Fdear. Accessed 31 Oct. 2025.
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