'To cost dear' definitions:

Definition of 'To cost dear'

From: GCIDE

Cost \Cost\ (k[o^]st; 115), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Cost; p. pr. & vb. n. Costing.] [OF. coster, couster, F. co[^u]ter, fr. L. constare to stand at, to cost; con- + stare to stand. See Stand, and cf. Constant.]
1. To require to be given, expended, or laid out therefor, as in barter, purchase, acquisition, etc.; to cause the cost, expenditure, relinquishment, or loss of; as, the ticket cost a dollar; the effort cost his life. [1913 Webster]
A diamond gone, cost me two thousand ducats. --Shak. [1913 Webster]
Though it cost me ten nights' watchings. --Shak. [1913 Webster]
2. To require to be borne or suffered; to cause. [1913 Webster]
To do him wanton rites, which cost them woe. --Milton. [1913 Webster]
To cost dear, to require or occasion a large outlay of money, or much labor, self-denial, suffering, etc. [1913 Webster]