give one's eye-teeth
English
Alternative forms
Verb
give one's eye-teeth (third-person singular simple present gives one's eye-teeth, present participle giving one's eye-teeth, simple past gave one's eye-teeth, past participle given one's eye-teeth)
- To sacrifice something valuable.
- 1836, James B. Dow, The Way-Mark, Chapter VI, The end of the Drunkard, page 133:
- Your real sea-dog will give his eye-teeth for a glass of grog; it is a fact, that many a tooth has been drawn in exchange for rum.
- 1866, Bayard Taylor, The Story of Kennett, Chapter XXVI, The Last of Sandy Flash, page 311:
- Sandy Flash burst into a roaring laugh. “Him! Ah-ha! you think we go snacks, eh? Do I look like a fool? Barton'd give his eye-teeth to put the halter round my neck with his own hands! No, no, young man; I have ways and ways o' learnin' things that you nor him'll never guess.”
- Synonyms: give one's left nut, give one's right arm
- 1836, James B. Dow, The Way-Mark, Chapter VI, The end of the Drunkard, page 133:
Usage notes
- Used in hypothetical constructs, with would or similar.
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