ADJ

considerable, enormous, great, high, huge, 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
additional, extra
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
gross, net
estimated
budgeted
likely, potential
real
annual, monthly, etc.
replacement
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
marginal
(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)
fixed, variable (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
increase, push up
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
calculate, work out
reimburse

COST + VERB

escalate, go up, increase, rise
The cost of dental treatment is increasing
fall, go down

COST + NOUN

reduction, savings
the pursuit of cost reduction
overrun
There were cost overruns on each project
base
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
~ to
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
cost of living
The cost of living has risen sharply in the last year

ADJ

considerable, enormous, great, high, huge
low
escalating, rising
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
pay
increase
bring down, cut, lower, reduce
The company has to find ways of cutting costs
keep 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

COST + VERB

be associated, be involved
the costs associated with buying and selling property
escalate, rise

ADJ

considerable, enormous, great, heavy, huge
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
real
environmental, financial, human, personal, political, social
the environmental cost of nuclear power

VERB + COST

outweigh
Do the benefits outweigh the costs?
count
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
at the ~ of
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

PHRASES

at all costs/at any cost
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)

ADJ

legal

VERB + COST

incur
Both sides incurred costs of over £50,000
pay
He was fined
£
200 and ordered to pay costs
be awarded
If you win your case you will normally be awarded costs