eye-watering

[tkacka15]

“As you would expect, the cost of these products can be quite eye-watering and reflect the additional risk involved, but with rates at three or four times those charged to prime borrowers plus one-off fees, it’s a high cost to pay.” [From The Guardian.]

Does "eye-watering" have something to do with the effect of the chopped onion on eyes in the above context?

Thank you.

 

[Skrej]

No, it's a reference to the prices being painfully expensive. Sometimes pain induces tears.

 

[Nuala01]

0nion contains a volatile substance which can irritate your eyes, having tears is a protective reaction to this substance. It has no harm to your eyes, but has a certain function of detoxifying and cleaning. I can recommend you some suggestions to prevent crying: first, before cutting onions, you can put knife in cold water for a while, and then cut the onion. Second, cut the onion into halves, put them in cold water for a while, and then cut it to small pieces. Third, put the onion into warm water for three minutes, and then cut.