Etymology Journal · W
What I wouldn't give
Meaning
- An expression used to convey an intense desire for something that is either unattainable or very difficult to get. It signals a deep longing or a nostalgic wish.
Longing, emotional
Used in a sentence
- What I wouldn't give for a slice of my grandmother's pie right now.
- What I wouldn't give to be back on that beach for just one more afternoon.
- What I wouldn't give to hear his laugh one more time.
The backstory
The phrase refers to the idea of being willing to sacrifice anything of value to achieve a specific goal. It is an old, dramatic way of emphasizing one's yearning.
Heard in
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