最简单的是：
He caught the thief at the price of his death.
= He caught the thief at the (cost) of his death/life.
= Catching the thief cost him his life.
即：at the price/cost of...“以...为代价”；
cost sb sth “使某人付出了...的代价”
没有变化格式么?请楼主补充!