give one's eye-teeth

English

Alternative forms

• give an eye-tooth

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)

1. 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

Usage notes

• Used in hypothetical constructs, with would or similar.