English-grammar-lessons.co.uk

menu

Pound of Flesh

What Does "Pound of Flesh" Mean?

homeidiomsPound of Flesh
"Pound of flesh" is an English idiom. It is a metaphorical expression referring to an excessive or harsh demand, often used when someone insists on getting what they are owed, even to the detriment of the other party.

Examples in Sentences

Here are three examples of the idiom "pound of flesh" used in a sentence:
  • The landlord demanded a literal pound of flesh in rent, which left the tenant feeling exploited and overwhelmed.
  • The lawyer wanted his pound of flesh from the settlement, leaving the client with very little compensation.
  • Negotiating with him was challenging because he insisted on his pound of flesh, regardless of the consequences.
meaning for pound of flesh

What Is an Idiom?

An idiom is a commonly used expression whose meaning does not relate to the literal meaning of its words. In other words, if you were to translate "Pound of Flesh" word for word, there is no guarantee the translation would help you to understand the meaning.

An idiom often includes a cultural or historical context that makes it difficult for non-native English speakers to understand. A phrase is classified as an idiom when a direct translation of the words does not reveal the meaning. Most idioms rely on shared knowledge or experiences known only to a specific community.

A Quick Test

You now know what "pound of flesh" means, but are you good at English idioms? Let's see!
gold cup
Gold

gold cup
Silver

gold cup
Bronze

  • This test has questions.
  • A correct answer is worth 5 points.
  • You can get up to 5 bonus points for a speedy answer.
  • Some questions demand more than one answer. You must get every part right.
  • Beware! Wrong answers score 0 points.
  • 🏆 If you beat one of the top 3 scores, you will be invited to apply for the Hall of Fame.
Scoring System

Guru (+)
Hero (+)
Captain (+)
Sergeant (+)
Recruit (+)
Help Us To Improve English Grammar Lessons
  • Do you disagree with something on this page?
  • Did you spot a typo?
Please tell us using this form.
Do you know your English idioms? idioms test

Take Our Test.

search icon

Search our idioms database. (We have 10,000+ idioms!)