give one's eyeteeth for something

Meaning: To want something very badly.

Language: English

Literally: (Already vivid in English)

Example: “I'd give my eyeteeth for a ticket to that concert.”

Category: Body & Senses

Origin: The eyeteeth are the canines, thought of as especially valuable. The phrase is common in American English from the 20th century.

Equivalents in other languages

Japanese: 喉から手が出る (Nodo kara te ga deru) — literally: A hand comes out of the throat

blush to the roots of one's hair — To go very red with embarrassment.
not see beyond the end of one's nose — To have a narrow outlook and ignore anything beyond one's immediate concerns.
many hands make light work — A job is easier when many people share it.
right under one's nose — Very close, yet unnoticed.
bend over backwards — To make a great effort to help or please someone.
beauty is in the eye of the beholder — What one person finds beautiful another may not.

a stroke of luck — A sudden, unexpected piece of good fortune.
if at first you don't succeed, try, try again — Keep trying after failure.
like chalk and cheese — Completely different, though perhaps similar at first glance.
look before you leap — Think carefully before acting.
love is blind — People in love do not see the faults of the one they love.
word gets around — News and rumors spread quickly from person to person.

Du bist ein Schatz — You're a sweetheart.
目に入れても痛くない (Me ni irete mo itakunai) — Said of someone you adore completely, often a child or grandchild.
Bête comme ses pieds — Really not very bright.