Collocations for cost - noun
1. money needed to buy sth
ADJ.
considerable, enormous, great, high, huge, prohibitive
The high cost of energy was a problem for consumers. | The cost of repairs would be prohibitive.
The high cost of energy was a problem for consumers. | The cost of repairs would be prohibitive.
low | escalating, rising | basic | full, overall, total
You will have to bear the full cost of the building work.
You will have to bear the full cost of the building work.
additional, extra
She was unwilling to pay the extra cost to get a room to herself.
She was unwilling to pay the extra cost to get a room to herself.
average
A total of 3.6 million tickets at an average cost of $58 are available for the Games.
A total of 3.6 million tickets at an average cost of $58 are available for the Games.
gross, net | estimated | budgeted | likely, potential | real | annual, monthly, etc. | replacement
What is the current replacement cost of these assets?
What is the current replacement cost of these assets?
capital, start-up
(business) The capital cost of these projects (= what it costs to set them up) is some $100 million - then there''ll be the operating costs.
(business) The capital cost of these projects (= what it costs to set them up) is some $100 million - then there''ll be the operating costs.
marginal
(business) Competition will drive the price down near to the marginal cost (= the cost of the labour and materials to produce the product).
(business) Competition will drive the price down near to the marginal cost (= the cost of the labour and materials to produce the product).
unit
(business) (= the cost of producing one item)
(business) (= the cost of producing one item)
fixed, variable
(business) Fixed costs include rent.
(business) Fixed costs include rent.
direct, indirect
VERB + COST
bear, cover, meet, pay
Allow £15 per day to cover the cost of meals. | MPs receive allowances to meet the cost of travel.
Allow £15 per day to cover the cost of meals. | MPs receive allowances to meet the cost of travel.
increase, push up
Inflation is pushing up the cost of living beyond our reach.
Inflation is pushing up the cost of living beyond our reach.
bring down, cut, lower, reduce | keep down | estimate, put
I would put the cost of a new employee at £30,000 a year.
I would put the cost of a new employee at £30,000 a year.
calculate, work out | reimburse
COST + VERB
escalate, go up, increase, rise
The cost of dental treatment is increasing.
The cost of dental treatment is increasing.
fall, go down
COST + NOUN
reduction, savings
the pursuit of cost reduction
the pursuit of cost reduction
overrun
There were cost overruns on each project.
There were cost overruns on each project.
base
It is essential that we operate with the lowest possible cost base and most efficient facilities.
It is essential that we operate with the lowest possible cost base and most efficient facilities.
PREP.
at a ~ of
A new computer system has been installed at a cost of £80,000.
A new computer system has been installed at a cost of £80,000.
~ to
The cost to the government will be quite high.
The cost to the government will be quite high.
PHRASES
an increase/a reduction in cost, at no extra cost
The hotel offers tea and coffee at no extra cost.
The hotel offers tea and coffee at no extra cost.
cost of living
The cost of living has risen sharply in the last year.
The cost of living has risen sharply in the last year.
2. costs: money needed to run a business/home, etc.
ADJ.
considerable, enormous, great, high, huge | low | escalating, rising
We have had to raise our prices because of rising costs.
We have had to raise our prices because of rising costs.
administration/administrative, fuel, labour, operating, production, (research and) development, running, transport, travel
VERB + COST
incur
The corporation will pay all costs and expenses incurred with its written consent.
The corporation will pay all costs and expenses incurred with its written consent.
pay | increase | bring down, cut, lower, reduce
The company has to find ways of cutting costs.
The company has to find ways of cutting costs.
keep down
The use of cheap labour helped to keep costs down.
The use of cheap labour helped to keep costs down.
cover
We''re hoping that we''ll at least cover costs at the conference.
We''re hoping that we''ll at least cover costs at the conference.
COST + VERB
be associated, be involved
the costs associated with buying and selling property
the costs associated with buying and selling property
escalate, rise
3. effort/loss/damage to achieve sth
ADJ.
considerable, enormous, great, heavy, huge
They advanced a few hundred metres, but at a heavy cost in life.
They advanced a few hundred metres, but at a heavy cost in life.
dreadful, terrible
the terrible cost of the war in death and suffering
the terrible cost of the war in death and suffering
real | environmental, financial, human, personal, political, social
the environmental cost of nuclear power
the environmental cost of nuclear power
VERB + COST
outweigh
Do the benefits outweigh the costs?
Do the benefits outweigh the costs?
count
The town is now counting the cost of its failure to provide adequate flood protection.
The town is now counting the cost of its failure to provide adequate flood protection.
PREP.
at (a) ~ (to)
The raid was foiled, but at a cost: an injured officer who was lucky to escape with his life. | He worked non-stop for three months, at considerable cost to his health.
The raid was foiled, but at a cost: an injured officer who was lucky to escape with his life. | He worked non-stop for three months, at considerable cost to his health.
at the ~ of
She saved him from the fire but at the cost of her own life.
She saved him from the fire but at the cost of her own life.
~ in
I felt a need to please people, whatever the cost in time and energy.
I felt a need to please people, whatever the cost in time and energy.
PHRASES
at all costs/at any cost
You must stop the press finding out at all costs (= whatever it takes to achieve this).
You must stop the press finding out at all costs (= whatever it takes to achieve this).
to your cost
He''s a ruthless businessman, as I know to my cost (= I know from my own bad experience).
He''s a ruthless businessman, as I know to my cost (= I know from my own bad experience).
4. costs: in a court case
ADJ.
legal
VERB + COST
incur
Both sides incurred costs of over £50,000.
Both sides incurred costs of over £50,000.
pay
He was fined £200 and ordered to pay costs.
He was fined £200 and ordered to pay costs.
be awarded
If you win your case you will normally be awarded costs.
If you win your case you will normally be awarded costs.