From Longman Dictionary of Contemporary Englisha small fortunea small fortunea large amount of moneycost/spend/pay a small fortune It must have cost him a small fortune. → small
Examples from the Corpus
cost/spend/pay a small fortune• But if upgrading of all the wards were to be embarked upon it was evident that it would cost a small fortune.• That hadn't cost a couple of pounds - it can cost a small fortune.• These consultations, which would normally cost a small fortune, are free.• Chances are that such a trip would cost a small fortune, because it does not include a Saturday stay.• What were they all doing there, paying a small fortune for their showy booths to catch the politicians' eyes?• Today a chest like this costs a small fortune if you can find one.• And these are men who have paid a small fortune to meet some one! 