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 ?

Mark Blythman from King Greene said: "The King's Ransom has been a lot of fun for everyone involved and we have enjoyed watching keen treasure hunters solve our clues and narrow down their search.

Artist finds key to treasure

King's Ransom also gave an insight that he may be coming back to hand at Wolverhampton after staying on for second behind Confidentiality, who has now won five races on the spin.

Horse Racing: Crazy poised to hit target at Fontwell

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.

Camping bargains in France and Italy

CHARITY queen Sarah MacLauchlan is hoping to raise a king's ransom.

Please come dine with me; A charity fundraiser at St James' for Prince's Trust

And City will offer Terry a king's ransom if Chelsea accept a pounds 22million bid this summer.

JT QUIT FEARS; EXCLUSIVE

She had just been awarded what most of us would regard as a king's ransom.

Stop moaning now, Heather; COLUMNISTS

For those looking on aghast from the sidelines, the award of more than pounds 24m to Heather Mills from her estranged husband, Sir Paul McCartney, is a king's ransom beyond imagining.

Voice of the ECHO: Now shut up, Heather

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.

IT WAS AGONY.. ECSTASY.. IT WAS LOST! HEROIC SCOTS CRASH OUT OF EURO 2008

The treble, starting with Recalcitrant, followed by his 100 on selling winner King's Ransom before Sir Mark Prescott teed him up with another handicap snip Caravel, also took him past 50 winners at the track in the last five seasons.

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

His ride King's Ransom (11-4 joint-favourite) had to be switched towards the centre of the track to make his run but settled the event in a matter of strides, racing six lengths clear.

Horse Racing: Brighton payback from Kasumi

YOU no longer need a king's ransom to drive the ultimate Porsche, thanks to the welcome arrival of the pounds 43,390 Cayman coupe.

Driving Seat: Cayman on sale

The Durans have splashed out a king's ransom to promote the original line-up's first single in all of 21 years.

kiss & tell: Durans spaced out for new vid

Bryant will also shell out a king's ransom to match the D.

SYMPTOMS OF SIMPSONITIS? MEDIA CIRCUS COVERING KOBE BRYANT'S CASE IS REMINISCENT OF O.J.'S `TRIAL OF THE CENTURY'

Romania have demanded a king's ransom to let high jumper Galina Astafei represent Germany in Atlanta.