koste es, was es wolle
German
Alternative forms
- was es auch koste
Etymology
Literally, “it may cost what it will”. Probably after French coûte que coûte. Compare the variant above, which is equivalent to the French variant quoi qu'il (en) coûte, further the early attestation below (in a translation from French), and finally Dutch koste wat kost, which last is clearly a loan translation.
Pronunciation
Audio (file)
Phrase
koste es, was es wolle
- at all costs; whatever it takes
- Synonym: um jeden Preis
- 1627, anonymous translator, Beutelschneider, oder newe warhaffte vnd eigentliche Beschreibung der Diebs Historien (translation of: François de Calvi, Histoire générale des larrons), Frankfurt, p. 190
- Solches entdecket er ſeinem Knecht vnd bittet jhn/ er woͤlle doch auff mittel vnnd wege ſich bedencken/ wie er ſolcher Jungfrawen moͤge maͤchtig werden/ vnnd ſolte es auch koſten/ was es woͤlle:
- This he reveals to his servant and asks him that he may think of means and ways for him to acquire such maidens, whatever it might take.