Pay Through the Nose

Render Excessive Fees

We really paid through the nose for that new car!

Going back as far as the 9th century, having ones nostrils slit stood as common punishment for not paying your taxes/fines or for theft

It was practiced by the Vikings in areas of northern England where those that could not pay were sliced as a reminder that they should save up for the next time. Not only was this an everyday reminder for the poor person it happened to, but it was a mark where by the next time the raiders came back they would know who had trouble paying last time.

Later when the actually slitting of the nose became less common the phrase turned to mean paying a high price for something.

Ouch.