Definition, Meaning & Synonyms

your-pound-of-flesh

idiom

/jʊər paʊnd ʌv flɛʃ/

Definition

A term referring to a demand for a fair payment or compensation, often in a harsh or merciless manner.

Examples

After the deal fell through, he wanted his pound of flesh from the business partner.
She was relentless in her pursuit, demanding her pound of flesh for the losses incurred.

Meaning

The phrase originates from Shakespeare’s play ‘The Merchant of Venice’, where it denotes a demand for something that is owed, typically in a vindictive or uncompromising way.