Also: give your right arm to do something
Meaning of Idiom ‘Give Your (or one’s) Right Arm’
If you would give your right arm for something you would sacrifice a lot or go to great lengths to obtain it; to want something very much. 1Ayto, John. Oxford Dictionary of English Idioms. Oxford: Oxford U, 2010.,2Ammer, Christine. American Heritage Dictionary of Idioms. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2013.
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Usage
Similar to another hyperbolic idiom give your eye teeth, this idiom is always conditional and usually uses the word ‘would.’ We never say “I will give my right arm” idiomatically.
Examples Of Use
“I’d give my right arm for a beer,” said the tired worker.
“I’d give my right arm to be able to retire early.”
“Connor always regretted not asking Melissa to marry him. He said he’d give his right arm to get another chance.”
Origin
Used since the first half of the 1900s.
The right arm alludes to something very important to most people, since at least 90% of the world’s population is right-handed. 3Ammer, Christine. American Heritage Dictionary of Idioms. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2013.
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More Arm Idioms
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More Give Idioms
- Give a Wide Berth Meaning
- Give No Quarter Meaning
- Give Someone the Cold Shoulder
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More Right Idioms