SINCE 1828
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pound of flesh

noun phrase
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Definition of pound of flesh

: a payment or penalty exacted to fulfill a deal or punishment loan sharks taking their pound of flesh

First Known Use of pound of flesh

1827, in the meaning defined above

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Time Traveler for pound of flesh

Time Traveler

The first known use of pound of flesh was in 1827

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Dictionary Entries Near pound of flesh

pound netter

pound of flesh

pound out

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Statistics for pound of flesh

Cite this Entry

“Pound of flesh.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pound%20of%20flesh. Accessed 1 Jul. 2022.

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