Cost of living meaning in English

Learn how to use Cost of living correctly with Gymglish.
Test and improve your English. Start your free trial today.

TEST YOUR ENGLISH Free trial and no commitment to buy

4,7 on App Store, Play Store and Trustpilot More than 8 million learners worldwide

Definition

the cost of living: the price of the basic necessities of life idiom

Examples

"Sam : It's like I said Bruno, the cost of living everywhere is on the rise."
"The cost of living in the ocean is crazy."

Exercise 1

The cost of living everywhere is on the rise
What does this mean?

The daily expense of living is being analyzed currently.

The daily expense of living is increasing.

The daily expense of living is surprisingly high.

The daily expense of living is an issue of concern.

I don't know

The cost of living everywhere is on the rise
What does this mean?

The daily expense of living is being analyzed currently.

This is not the meaning of Sam's idiom. He is not expressing that there is research being done on the cost of living, but rather that the cost of living is actively increasing.

The daily expense of living is increasing.

This is correct. The expression 'on the rise' means 'increasing' or 'in the process of growing', for example: The number of people who like cricket is on the rise. Sam is trying to justify the fees Bruno is being charged by saying that it is becoming more and more expensive to live. The 'cost of living' is the average cost of the basic necessities in life (food, clothes, rent, etc).

The daily expense of living is surprisingly high.

This is close to the meaning of Sam's expression, but not entirely accurate. Something 'on the rise' is 'growing' or 'increasing', not 'surprisingly high'. The idiom refers to the act or process of the cost 'rising', and is not an observation or a judgment.

The daily expense of living is an issue of concern.

This is not the meaning of Sam's idiom. He is not expressing that the cost of living is something to be worried or concerned about, but rather that the cost of living is actively increasing.

Still unsure of the best way to use 'Cost of living'? Improve your English thanks to our online English lessons. We offer a free test as well as a free level assessment!

What our users say:

Pleasure

Victor (Cologne, Germany)

I enjoy doing my online English lessons. Only ten minutes daily are enough...Thank you!

Innovative

Marie (Amsterdam, The Netherlands)

I love your innovative method which allows me to learn a new language and have fun at the same time!

Unique

Georges (San Francisco, USA)

Your method is unique! Your courses have helped me to progress and gain confidence during my travels.

Progress

Maya (Paris, France)

Gymglish has allowed me to improve my English. A daily routine I wouldn't miss for anything in the world!

More testimonials.

Test your English with Gymglish today and get a free level assessment

Absolutely free - no strings attached.

TEST YOUR ENGLISH