king's ransom

/'kiɳz'rænsəm/

Friendly

Explanation of "King's Ransom"

Definition:
"King's ransom" is a noun that means a very large amount of money or treasure. The phrase suggests that the sum is so large that it could be enough to pay for a king's freedom if he were captured.

Usage Instructions:

• Use "king's ransom" when you want to describe something that costs a lot of money or when you refer to a very large amount of wealth.
• It is often used in informal or figurative contexts rather than in formal writing.

Examples:

1. "The painting sold for a king's ransom at the auction, making the artist very famous."
2. "She spent a king's ransom on her new house, but she's very happy with it."

Advanced Usage:

In advanced contexts, "king's ransom" can also be used metaphorically to describe anything that is extremely valuable or costly, not just in money. - Example: "The knowledge he gained during his travels was worth a king's ransom."

Word Variants:

• There are no direct variants of "king's ransom," but you may encounter it in different contexts or forms, such as "a king's ransom in gold" or "worth a king's ransom."

Different Meanings:

While "king's ransom" primarily refers to a large sum of money, it can also imply: - Metaphorical Value: Something that has great emotional or sentimental worth.

Synonyms:

• Fortune
• Treasure
• Windfall
• Large sum
• Hefty amount

Related Idioms:

• "Cost an arm and a leg": This idiom means something is very expensive, similar to the idea of a "king's ransom."
• "Pay through the nose": This means to pay a lot of money for something.

Phrasal Verbs:

While there are no direct phrasal verbs that relate specifically to "king's ransom," you can use phrases that involve money, such as: - "Cash out": To convert something into cash, often used when talking about gaining a large amount of money.

Summary:

"King's ransom" is a colorful way to express the idea of a vast fortune or a very high cost. You can use it in various contexts, especially when discussing expensive items or valuable experiences.

Academic

Noun

1. a very large treasure