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The price that you pay for something stands for an unpleasant thing that you have to do or an unpleasant situation that you have to go through to get something you desire.

Work out every day and not eat just about anything you want for a few months - this is the price you have to pay for shaping up.

 

Don't get this confused with the expression, "to pay the price" - this refers to the bad results you get after you've done something.

If you don't control your eating habits and workout regularly you will pay the price when you get older.

 

Basically, "the price one has to pay" is used with a situation that has not yet happened, and "to pay the price" is used when the action has been done already.

And "to pay the ultimate price" is to die because of something one has done, especially for moral reasons.

This pillar was built as a memorial to the villagers who paid the ultimate price during war.

 

The next expression is when you buy or obtain something "at or for a price". This means that you either have to pay a lot of money to get it or be involved in something unpleasant in order to get it. This appeared in the headline: "Freedom at a price: The Internet decade brings both hope and problems for dissidents in Vietnam" - this article was about Internet surfing in Vietnam which is still under communist regime. So, despite the freedom people have through the Internet, they might still get into trouble with the government.

The beach city boasts superb accommodation but at a price.

And the last expression for today's column, "a pearl of great price", is used as a noun in a formal context to refer to something of great importance and rarity.

One's ability to control greed is a pearl of great price.

 

Complete the sentences with the expressions explained:

1. During history classes, the students learned about the people who had … protecting their country.

2. It's worth experiencing exotic cuisine, even though it comes …

3. Working hard at school is a small … for getting admitted into university.

4. You'd better change your mind about taking revenge on your boss or you will have to … later.

5. The professor's extensive knowledge of the ancient cultures is considered …  

Answers: 1. paid the ultimate price; 2. at a price; 3. price to pay; 4. pay the price; 5. a pearl of great price.

By Parnsap Yomanage