a price on (one's) head

a price on (one's) head

An amount of money being offered as a reward for one's capture, or, in some cases, killing. I'm sorry, but we can't travel with your brother any longer. The sheriff has put a price on his head and it's too dangerous for the rest of us! I'll never be able to live peacefully in this town as long as I have a price on my head.

See also: head, on, price

*a price on one's head

a reward for one's capture. (*Typically: get ~; have ~; put ~; place ~.) We captured a thief who had a price on his head, and the sheriff gave us the reward. The crook was so mean, he turned in his own brother, who had a price on his head.

See also: head, on, price

price on one's head

A reward for capturing or killing someone, usually someone guilty of a crime. For example, He was a serial killer, and they put a price on his head. The head in this term presumably alludes to the older punishment of beheading. [Mid-1700s]

See also: head, on, price

a price on someone's head

If there is a price on someone's head, someone has offered money if they are caught or killed. He had twice fled the area with a price on his head.

See also: head, on, price

a price on someone's head

a reward offered for someone's capture or death.

See also: head, on, price

a ˈprice on somebody’s head

a reward for finding or killing a criminal: In the Wild West there were cowboys who used to hunt down any man with a price on his head.

See also: head, on, price