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Pound of Flesh
Pound of Flesh
Pound of Flesh : Phrases
Meaning:
Something which is owed that is ruthlessly required to be paid back.
Example:
Origin:
This of course derives from Shakespeare's Merchant of Venice, 1596. The insistence by Shylock of the payment of Antonio's flesh is the central plot device of the play:
SHYLOCK:
The pound of flesh which I demand of him Is deerely bought, 'tis mine, and I will haue it.
The figurative use of the phrase to refer to any lawful but nevertheless unreasonable recompense dates to the late 18th century.