ENGLISH
REFERENCE

price on someone's head

idiom
Meaning

A compensation for capturing or killing someone, especially a criminal.


Origin

disputed origin

From the earlier punishment of beheading criminals. The usage of this idiom began in the mid-1700s.

Examples
SIMPLE

The criminal has a price on his head.

CONTEXTUAL

The detective knew that a large reward meant there was a price on the fugitive's head.

COMPLEX

After the rebellion failed, the king placed a heavy price on the leader's head to ensure he would never return to power.

Anchors to
Related idioms8entries
  1. 01

    another nail in someone's coffin

    An event that increases the likelihood of or causes further failure.

  2. 02

    answer someone's prayers

    To be or do exactly what someone has been wishing or asking for.

  3. 03

    answer to someone's prayers

    Exactly what someone has been wishing or asking for.

  4. 04

    apple of someone's eye

    The object of somebody's affections; a person (or sometimes a thing) that someone strongly prefers; a favorite, a loved one.

  5. 05

    bane of someone's existence

    Someone or something that poses a significant problem to someone.

  6. 06

    bang one's head against a brick wall

    To waste effort on a futile project.

  7. 07

    bash someone's face in

    To beat someone violently.

  8. 08

    bash someone's head

    To beat up someone violently.

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