What does “Give your eye teeth” mean?

"Give your eye teeth" means to be willing to give up something very valuable or important.

What context can I use the in?

Example

I would give my eye teeth for a chance to meet my favorite celebrity.

Example

He would give his eye teeth for a promotion at work.

Example

She would give her eye teeth to travel the world

Is “Give your eye teeth” an expression, an idiom, or a proverb?

“Give your eye teeth” is a proverb. A proverb is a short saying that teaches us something important or gives us advice. Unlike an idiom, it’s easy to understand even if it uses figurative language.

How would I use “Give your eye teeth” effectively in context?

You can use "Give your eye teeth" to express a strong desire or willingness to give up something valuable or important in exchange for something else. It emphasizes the extent of one's longing or eagerness. For example, if you really want to attend a concert, you might say, 'I would give my eye teeth for a chance to see my favorite band live.'

1Desire
She would give her eye teeth to have a beach house.
2Career
He would give his eye teeth for a promotion at work.
3Travel
They would give their eye teeth to travel the world.

Similar phrases to “Give your eye teeth”:

Sell your soul

To make a significant sacrifice or compromise for personal gain

Example

He would sell his soul for a chance to become famous.

Give an arm and a leg

To be willing to give up something of great value or importance

Example

She would give an arm and a leg for a chance to study abroad.

Jump through hoops

To go to great lengths or make extraordinary efforts to achieve something

Example

He jumped through hoops to secure a job offer.

Bend over backwards

To make a great effort or sacrifice to help or please someone

Example

She bent over backwards to accommodate her guests' requests.

Good things to know:

Where does the phrase “Give your eye teeth” come from?

The origin of the phrase "Give your eye teeth" is unknown.

Is “Give your eye teeth” common in everyday conversation?

The phrase "Give your eye teeth" is not as common as some other idioms, but it is still used in everyday conversation. It may be more commonly used in informal settings or among friends and family.

What tone does “Give your eye teeth” have?

"Give your eye teeth" conveys a tone of strong desire or longing. It expresses a willingness to make a significant sacrifice for something that is highly valued or desired.

Can “Give your eye teeth” be used in informal and formal settings?

The phrase "Give your eye teeth" is more commonly used in informal settings. It may be less appropriate in formal or professional contexts.

Can it be used by itself, or is it usually part of a sentence?

It is commonly used as part of a sentence to convey its full meaning. For example, 'She would give her eye teeth for a chance to travel the world.' However, in informal conversations, people might understand the phrase even if used alone, like saying 'I would "give my eye teeth"!' to express a strong desire for something.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms

sacrifice everything
give up everything
be willing to do anything
long for something desperately
crave something intensely

Antonyms

be indifferent
not care at all
have no desire
be unwilling to give up anything
not be interested