eyetooth

[ahy-tooth] /ˈaɪˌtuθ/

noun, plural eyeteeth

[ahy-teeth] /ˈaɪˌtiθ/ (Show IPA)

Dentistry. a canine tooth of the upper jaw: so named from its position under the eye.

Idioms

cut one's eyeteeth,

to gain sophistication or experience; become worldly-wise.
Also, cut one's eyeteeth on. to be initiated or gain one's first experience in (a career, hobby, skill, etc.).

give one's eyeteeth, to give something one considers very precious, usually in exchange for an object or situation one desires:

She would give her eyeteeth for that job.

Origin

1570-80; eye + tooth

British Dictionary definitions for give one's eyeteeth

eyetooth

/ˌaɪˈtuːθ/

noun (pl) -teeth

either of the two canine teeth in the upper jaw

give one's eyeteeth for, to go to any lengths to achieve or obtain (something): I'd give my eyeteeth for a radio as good as that

Word Origin and History for give one's eyeteeth

eyetooth

also eye tooth, 1570s, so called for its position immediately under or next to the eye.

give one's eyeteeth in Medicine

eyetooth eye·tooth (ī'tōōth')
n.
A canine tooth of the upper jaw.

Slang definitions & phrases for give one's eyeteeth

give one's eyeteeth

verb phrase

(Variations: left ball or left nut may replace eyeteeth) To pay a very high price; sacrifice much; give anything: She said she'd give her eyeteeth for the role/ I'd give my left nut to get into NET/ I'd give my left ball for a case like that (entry form 1905+, variants 1940s+)

Idioms and Phrases with give one's eyeteeth

give one's eyeteeth

Also, give one's right arm. Go to any lengths to obtain, as in She'd give her eyeteeth for a mink coat, or He'd give his right arm for a new car. These hyperbolic expressions both allude to something precious, the eyeteeth (or canines) being useful for both biting and chewing and the right arm a virtual necessity for the 90 percent of the population who are right-handed. Both date from the first half of the 1900s, when the first replaced give one's eyes, from the mid-1800s.