King's ransom Meaning in English
expression
ˈkɪŋz/ /ˈɹænsəm
KINGZ RAN-sum
kɪŋz/ /ɹˈænsəm
kingz RAN-sum
Definition
A sum of money or value that is extremely large; an amount so great that only a king could pay it.
Usage & Nuances
This is an idiomatic, often hyperbolic expression; not literal. Used to highlight something very expensive ('costs a king's ransom'). More common in formal or dramatic writing than in everyday, casual speech.
Spanish: fortuna - suma exorbitantePortuguese (BR): fortuna - quantia exorbitantePortuguese (PT): fortuna - quantia exorbitanteChinese (Simplified): 巨额赎金 - 天价Chinese (Traditional): 巨額贖金 - 天價Hindi: बहुत बड़ी रकम - भारी धनराशिArabic: ثروة طائلة - مبلغ ضخمBengali: অভূতপূর্ব অর্থবিত্ত - বিশাল পরিমাণ টাকাRussian: огромная сумма - баснословная суммаJapanese: 莫大な財産 - 大金Vietnamese: một số tiền khổng lồ - giá trị cực lớnKorean: 어마어마한 돈 - 엄청난 가치Turkish: servet değerinde para - çok büyük miktarUrdu: خطیر رقم - بہت زیادہ دولتIndonesian: uang dalam jumlah sangat besar - jumlah fantastis
Example Sentences
That painting must be worth a king's ransom.
basic
He paid a king's ransom for his new car.
basic
A diamond that size is worth a king's ransom.
basic
My parents spent a king's ransom on my college education.
natural
Tickets to the concert are selling for a king's ransom online.
natural
You’d have to pay a king's ransom to live in this part of the city.
natural