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

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Phrase

koste es, was es wolle

1. 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.