give one's left nut

English

Etymology

The loss of a testicle would be a high price to pay for something.

Pronunciation
  • Audio (AU)(file)

Verb

give one's left nut (third-person singular simple present gives one's left nut, present participle giving one's left nut, simple past gave one's left nut, past participle given one's left nut)

  1. (slang, vulgar) Pay a very high price for something.
    Synonyms: give an arm and a leg, give/pay a pretty penny, give one's eye-teeth, give one's right arm
    • 1997, Carolyn Wheat, Mean Streak, page 18:
      Nick Lazarus would give his left nut to see me convicted and disbarred.

Usage notes
  • Used in hypothetical constructs, with would or similar.
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