Ateş pahası
idiom
Pronunciation: /a-TESH pa-ha-SUH/
English Meaning
Extremely expensive
“Ateş pahası” in Example Sentences
Eskiden ucuzdu, şimdi ateş pahası olmuş.
It used to be cheap, now it has become extremely expensive.
Tatil köyleri bu yaz ateş pahası.
Holiday resorts are extremely expensive this summer.
Domatesin kilosu ateş pahasına satılıyor.
Tomatoes are selling at sky-high prices.
Usage Note
'Paha' means 'price' and 'pahası' is 'its price'. With verbs it takes the dative: 'ateş pahasına satmak' (to sell at an exorbitant price). Compare English 'to cost an arm and a leg'.
Grammar & Usage
Lit. 'price of fire'. Often follows verbs like (olmak, satılmak).
Cultural Context
The image is of something as precious and hard to come by as fire — a vivid way to complain about sky-high prices.
Keep Learning
- Advanced Idioms & Expressions flashcardsPractise “Ateş pahası” with the Common Idioms words
- Compound Nouns (İsim Tamlamaları)Grammar lesson · Nouns & Noun Phrases
- Possessive SuffixesGrammar lesson · Nouns & Noun Phrases
- 10 Funny Turkish Idioms That Make No Sense in EnglishGuide · read more about this topic
- Turkish-English DictionaryBrowse all words A–Z
Related Words from Advanced Idioms & Expressions
- Etekleri zil çalmakTo be overjoyed
- Hapı yutmakTo be in deep trouble
- İpe un sermekTo make up excuses
- Pabucu dama atılmakTo be overshadowed / lose favor
- Ağzı kulaklarına varmakTo grin from ear to ear
- Bindiği dalı kesmekTo shoot oneself in the foot
- Pireyi deve yapmakTo make a mountain out of a molehill
- Kafayı yemekTo go crazy / lose one's mind
Practice “Ateş pahası” with Flashcards
Advanced Idioms & Expressions
Master this word along with others in the Common Idioms category.