king's ransom

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king's ransom

A very large sum of money. I've always wanted to vacation in Hawaii, but the plane tickets cost a king's ransom.

See also: ransom

*king's ransom

Fig. a great deal of money. (To pay an amount as large as one might have to pay to get back a king held for ransom. *Typically: cost ~; pay ~; spend~.) I would like to buy a nice watch, but I don't want to pay a king's ransom for it. It's a lovely house. I bet it cost a king's ransom.

See also: ransom

king's ransom

A huge sum of money, as in That handmade rug must have cost a king's ransom. This metaphoric expression originally referred to the sum required to release a king from captivity. [Late 1400s]

See also: ransom

a king's ransom

mainly BRITISH

A king's ransom is an extremely large sum of money. She was paid a king's ransom for a five-minute appearance in the film. With so few skilled electricians available, these people can charge a king's ransom for their services.

See also: ransom

a king's ransom

a huge amount of money; a fortune.

In feudal times prisoners of war were freed for sums in keeping with their rank, so a king, as the highest-ranking individual, commanded the greatest ransom.

See also: ransom

a ˌking’s ˈransom

(literary) a very large amount of money: We don’t exactly get paid a king’s ransom in this job.In the past, if a king was captured in a war, his country would pay a ransom for his release.

See also: ransom

References in periodicals archive ?

She said: "I am absolutely loving the King's Ransom.

Artist finds key to treasure

It would take a king's ransom to get him out of the club."

Hearn warning over winger; Sport shorts LEAGUE ONE GOSSIP

King's Ransom proved way too good for his selling rivals once Sanders secured a clear run but the enjoyment of the success was lost on trainer Willie Muir when he was outbid at the auction by fellow trainer Steve Gollings at 13,700gns.

Horse Racing: Sanders hits fastest 100 but plays down title talk; BRIGHTON

RANGERS will have to cough up a king's ransom to keep Alex McLeish after failing to sign him on a long- term deal when he checked into Ibrox.

Football: Big Eck's contract wrangle

The Galo habit is a great way to build a delightful wardrobe without paying a king's ransom.

Galo Shoes moves to Manhattan's Upper Eastside. (Retail New York)

For not only are day traders matching their wits against the market on a minute-by-minute basis, they must also fight to keep their own emotions in check--regardless of whether they happen to be making a king's ransom or watching all their money go up in smoke.

Life of a Day Trader

Several years ago whe the authority spent a king's ransom on this, I thought it was a lost oportunity.

Despair of the shopper; Letters

So check out a bundle of top quality baby buys we've selected which won't cost you a king's ransom.

Hi! We're getting excited about [...]

"I hope we are all going to be successful together and it's enormous credit to Jonathan that we ain't paying a king's ransom for him, we are paying a very manageable salary to a boy whose talent has enabled him to play for some of the best clubs in the world."

WOODY DIDN'T BREAK THE BANK

IT MAY be treachery to say so, but if you take the family away to France or Italy during next year's Diamond Jubilee celebrations in June you can save a king's ransom and pay less than pounds 260 for these posh camping breaks available from European holiday specialist I Spy Camping (www.ispycamping.com).

Camping bargains in France and Italy

The penalty for driving without a licence, insurance and frequently MoT and tax, is a drop in the ocean compared to the king's ransom they have to pay to stay 'legit'.

High price of cover; You Say Email:letters@liverpoolecho.co.uk

The robbers kidnapped Colin Dixon, the manager of the Securitas depot in Tonbridge, Kent, and his wife and child, before getting away with what prosecutors described as a "king's ransom".

Robbery suspect quizzed

FIVE men face lengthy jail terms today for stealing a "king's ransom" in Britain's biggest cash robbery.

pounds 53m raid: From a king's ransom to Her Majesty's pleasure

Steve Gollings does a fine job with a limited bunch of thoroughbreds and can strike again with King's Ransom. The four-year-old appears well treated off a mark of 60 for the Southwell Golf Club Handicap, having done the business off 4lb higher at Lingfield in January.

Horse Racing: Crazy poised to hit target at Fontwell

9am A so-called friend phones to say my ticket's been sold for a king's ransom and that the telly coverage should prove a suitable substitute.