give your right arm

give (one's) right arm

A figurative phrase that highlights one's interest in having something or eagerness to do something. A: "I'm going to the concert on Saturday!" B: "Aw man, I would give my right arm to have tickets to that!" I would give my right arm for your sister's gorgeous hair!
See also: arm, give, right
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

give your right arm

If you say that you would give your right arm for something or to do something, you mean that you want it very much. There are not many jobs I would give my right arm for. I can do nothing but think about my ex-husband. I would give my right arm to be able to start again. Note: Most people are right-handed, and so consider their right arm to be more important than their left.
See also: arm, give, right
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed.
See also:
  • a bird in hand
  • a bird in the hand
  • a/the feel of (something)
  • (I) wouldn't (do something) if I were you
  • a fast talker
  • a straw will show which way the wind blows
  • a spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down
  • a crack at (someone or something)
  • all right
  • (you) wanna make something of it?
References in periodicals archive
"You'd give your right arm to be playing in the Scottish Cup semi-final at Hampden and looking to reach a major final.
I won't let dream of Hampden Peter out
"Fifteen years ago, you'd give your right arm to own a Chevy franchise, and right now they are walking away from them.
Economic woes trip up N.H. oil change business: the owner of three outlets files for bankruptcy protection
The campaign planned to feature billboards with the message: "Would You Give Your Right Arm to Know Why Sharks Attack, Could it be Revenge?
PETA Drops Insensitive Pro-Shark Ad Campaign