running costs
nounUK /ˈrʌnɪŋ kɒsts/
US /ˈrʌnɪŋ kɔsts/
The money you spend to keep something working, like a car or a house.
The running costs of the old car were too high, so we sold it.
OTHER MEANINGS
2. The regular money a business spends just to keep going each day.
The shop's running costs went up when electricity prices rose.
3. The everyday money needed to keep a home or machine in good shape.
We saved money by cutting the running costs of our house.
4. The total amount spent over time to use something, not just to buy it.
The running costs of the printer were more than the printer itself.