pound of flesh

A debt or punishment, especially a cruel or unreasonable one, that is harshly insisted upon. An allusion to Shakespeare's The Merchant of Venice, in which the moneylender Shylock demands he be paid the pound of flesh promised as collateral for a loan. The victim of the incident, while only sustaining superficial injuries, is demanding his pound of flesh from the nightclub owner following the court ruling. Be very careful about taking out loans that you can't repay right away, or you will have collectors coming after you for a pound of flesh.

See also: flesh, of, pound

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

*pound of flesh

Fig. a payment or punishment that involves suffering and sacrifice on the part of the person being punished. (*Typically: give someone ~; owe someone ~; pay someone ~; take ~.) He wants revenge. He won't be satisfied until he takes his pound of flesh.

See also: flesh, of, pound

McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.

pound of flesh

A debt whose payment is harshly insisted on, as in The other members of the cartel all want their pound of flesh from Brazil. This expression alludes to the scene in Shakespeare's The Merchant of Venice (4:1) where the moneylender Shylock demands the pound of flesh promised him in payment for a loan, and Portia responds that he may have it but without an ounce of blood (since blood was not promised). [c. 1600]

See also: flesh, of, pound

The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.

your pound of flesh

If someone demands their pound of flesh, they insist on getting something they have a right to, even though they might not need it and it will cause problems for the people they are getting it from. Banks are quick to demand their pound of flesh from the small businessman who goes even slightly into debt. She has appeared on breakfast television to offer support (in exchange for heaven knows what pound of flesh from her husband). Note: This expression comes from Shakespeare's play `The Merchant of Venice' (Act 4, Scene 1). Shylock is owed money by Antonio, and attempts to carry out an agreement which allows him to cut off a pound of Antonio's flesh.

See also: flesh, of, pound

Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed.

your pound of flesh

an amount you are legally entitled to, but which it is morally offensive to demand.

The allusion here is to Shylock's bond with the merchant Antonio in Shakespeare 's The Merchant of Venice and to the former's insistence that he should receive it, even at the cost of Antonio's life.

See also: flesh, of, pound

Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

(have, demand, claim, etc.) your pound of ˈflesh

(take, demand, etc.) the full amount that somebody owes you, even if this will cause them trouble or suffering: They want their pound of flesh; they want every penny we owe them by next Monday. I didn’t realize working here was going to be such hard work. They really demand their pound of flesh, don’t they?This phrase comes from Shakespeare’s Merchant of Venice, in which the moneylender Shylock demanded a pound of flesh from Antonio’s body if he could not pay back the money he borrowed.

See also: flesh, of, pound

Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

pound of flesh, a

One’s exact dues; the precise amount owed, no matter what. The term comes from the famous trial scene of Shakespeare’s The Merchant of Venice (4.1), in which the moneylender Shylock demands that the pound of flesh that was promised him in payment for lending Antonio money be handed over. He is, of course, foiled by Portia, who says he may have his pound of flesh but it may not include an ounce of blood (since no blood is due him). Ever since, this expression has been used as a metaphor for exacting payment, usually in a vengeful way.

词组	pound of flesh
释义	pound of flesh pound of flesh A debt or punishment, especially a cruel or unreasonable one, that is harshly insisted upon. An allusion to Shakespeare's The Merchant of Venice, in which the moneylender Shylock demands he be paid the pound of flesh promised as collateral for a loan. The victim of the incident, while only sustaining superficial injuries, is demanding his pound of flesh from the nightclub owner following the court ruling. Be very careful about taking out loans that you can't repay right away, or you will have collectors coming after you for a pound of flesh. See also: flesh, of, pound Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. pound of flesh Fig.* a payment or punishment that involves suffering and sacrifice on the part of the person being punished. (Typically: give* someone ~; owe someone ~; pay someone ~; take ~.) He wants revenge. He won't be satisfied until he takes his pound of flesh. See also: flesh, of, pound McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. pound of flesh A debt whose payment is harshly insisted on, as in The other members of the cartel all want their pound of flesh from Brazil. This expression alludes to the scene in Shakespeare's The Merchant of Venice (4:1) where the moneylender Shylock demands the pound of flesh promised him in payment for a loan, and Portia responds that he may have it but without an ounce of blood (since blood was not promised). [c. 1600] See also: flesh, of, pound The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer. your pound of flesh If someone demands their pound of flesh, they insist on getting something they have a right to, even though they might not need it and it will cause problems for the people they are getting it from. Banks are quick to demand their pound of flesh from the small businessman who goes even slightly into debt. She has appeared on breakfast television to offer support (in exchange for heaven knows what pound of flesh from her husband). Note: This expression comes from Shakespeare's play `The Merchant of Venice' (Act 4, Scene 1). Shylock is owed money by Antonio, and attempts to carry out an agreement which allows him to cut off a pound of Antonio's flesh. See also: flesh, of, pound Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed. your pound of flesh an amount you are legally entitled to, but which it is morally offensive to demand. The allusion here is to Shylock's bond with the merchant Antonio in Shakespeare 's The Merchant of Venice and to the former's insistence that he should receive it, even at the cost of Antonio's life. See also: flesh, of, pound Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary (have, demand, claim, etc.) your pound of ˈflesh (take, demand, etc.) the full amount that somebody owes you, even if this will cause them trouble or suffering: They want their pound of flesh; they want every penny we owe them by next Monday. I didn’t realize working here was going to be such hard work. They really demand their pound of flesh, don’t they?This phrase comes from Shakespeare’s Merchant of Venice, in which the moneylender Shylock demanded a pound of flesh from Antonio’s body if he could not pay back the money he borrowed. See also: flesh, of, pound Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary pound of flesh, a One’s exact dues; the precise amount owed, no matter what. The term comes from the famous trial scene of Shakespeare’s The Merchant of Venice (4.1), in which the moneylender Shylock demands that the pound of flesh that was promised him in payment for lending Antonio money be handed over. He is, of course, foiled by Portia, who says he may have his pound of flesh but it may not include an ounce of blood (since no blood is due him). Ever since, this expression has been used as a metaphor for exacting payment, usually in a vengeful way. See also: of, pound The Dictionary of Clichés by Christine Ammer See also: friend of Bill W. give (one) (one's) marching orders give somebody their marching orders give someone their marching orders Marie Celeste pow powwow pow-wow shoot from the hip fire from the hip References in periodicals archive Once she announces that Shylock cannot have his pound of flesh because such a remedy violates the laws of Venice, Shylock agrees to accept three times the amount loaned, which Bassanio readily agrees to pay. The Merchant of Venice, act IV, scene 1 Election A \| Pound Of Flesh is published by Headline Eternal, priced PS8.99 50 shades better? E.L. James' anticipated follow-up has just been published, but fan fiction sensation Sophie Jackson looks set to give Christian Grey a run for his money. Hannah Stephenson delves a little deeper "The Government have had their pound of flesh from S4C over the last few years and it shouldn't be returning for more cuts given the fragile position the channel is in. Warning over S4C funding cut move Make dad's day with Standing In Another Man's Grave by Ian Rankin and Alex Grey's A Pound of Flesh. XMAS CLASSICS FOR ALL THE FAMILY What a kick in the teeth to find that if they don't buy before late March, George Osborne takes his pound of flesh too." Did chancellor miss a trick on stamp duty? The scheme puts me in mind of Shylock and his request for a pound of flesh - it seems a good idea until detailed examination takes place. Organ opt-out fears; YOUR LETTERS TO THE NATIONAL NEWSPAPER OF WALES & COMMENT DEBATE What is the maiden name of Carole Middleton, phrase 'a pound of flesh' come? Quiz of the Day No wonder he is discovering that the established order is trying to get its pound of flesh. Person of the year; emails&letters Despite the Labour Minister's objections to the unreasonable fine on a person who would have no means of paying it, these Shylocks are insisting on their pound of flesh. Pound of flesh Commentators over the weekend have had their pound of flesh and helped fuel the sense of panic among some. Support the Rock; COMMENT But when it comes to public workers (who we pay for directly) we want our pound of flesh. With that attitude we are no better than the old mine owners. ViewpointsC'mon Bill, be a bit more enlightened The best interests of the game have been sacrificed so the World's financial and corporate sectors can have their pound of flesh. Football: Mismatched matches I'll be missing Hebert wants to exact a pound of flesh from this poor man and destroy him. Cardinal George And they want their pound of flesh. They're not spending millions on political donations because of an unshakeable belief in democracy - it's business, plain and simple and they expect to be listened to. Letter: This is no marriage of equals with US But he is also an articulate spokesman for all that rages against the injustices we perpetrate on those whose pound of flesh is simply a piece of meat to us. The Merchant of Venice
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