give one's left nut
English
[edit]Etymology
[edit]The loss of a testicle would be a high price to pay for something. This synonym of give one's eye-teeth and give one's right arm most likely came after those, having been modeled after them facetiously.
Pronunciation
[edit]Audio (General Australian): (file)
Verb
[edit]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)
- (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
[edit]- Used in hypothetical constructs, with would or similar.