give one's eye-teeth

Verb

 * 1) To sacrifice something valuable.
 * 2) * 1836, James B. Dow, The Way-Mark, Chapter VI, The end of the Drunkard, page 133:
 * Your real sea-dog will give his eye-teeth for a glass of grog; it is a fact, that many a tooth has been drawn in exchange for rum.
 * 1) * 1866, Bayard Taylor, The Story of Kennett, Chapter XXVI, The Last of Sandy Flash, page 311:
 * Sandy Flash burst into a roaring laugh. “Him! Ah-ha! you think we go snacks, eh? Do I look like a fool? Barton'd give his eye-teeth to put the halter round my neck with his own hands! No, no, young man; I have ways and ways o' learnin' things that you nor him'll never guess.”

Usage notes

 * Used in hypothetical constructs, with would or similar.