eyetooth
Americannoun
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eyeteeth
plural
idioms
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cut one's eyeteeth,
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to gain sophistication or experience; become worldly-wise.
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Also cut one's eyeteeth on. to be initiated or gain one's first experience in (a career, hobby, skill, etc.).
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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.
noun
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either of the two canine teeth in the upper jaw
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to go to any lengths to achieve or obtain (something)
I'd give my eyeteeth for a radio as good as that
Other Word Forms
Noun Inflected Forms
Etymology
Origin of eyetooth
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
A snob, a bully and a coarser man than his creator seems to believe, Brad has a Southernness as sensitive as an aching eyetooth.
From Time Magazine Archive
British Foreign Secretary Ernie Bevin, winding up talks in Washington this week, was leaving behind a personal memento: his lower eyetooth, yanked a fortnight ago.
From Time Magazine Archive
"For every Greenfield, there are literally scores of other communities who would give their eyetooth for a Wal-Mart store," says Wal-Mart spokesman Don Shinkle.
From Time Magazine Archive
The blunted eyetooth made but a superficial furrow; which served only to madden its victim still further.
From Further Adventures of Lad by Albert Payson Terhune
Casey had a pronounced limp and an eyetooth was broken short off, about halfway to the gums, and his lip was cut.
From Casey Ryan by B. M. Bower
Many major museums, Schaffner says, “would give eyeteeth for these works today.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 21, 2026
"Elektra is a piece that conductors would give their eyeteeth to conduct and I've given that piece away three times during my time," he laughed.
From BBC ● Apr. 26, 2023
Palmer told the Chicago Tribune in 1999 that Dench “is an actress who anyone would give their eyeteeth to work with.”
From Seattle Times ● Nov. 26, 2020
His grave has always moved me, and I have walked to it often: like many members of my generation, I cut my eyeteeth on his work.
From New York Times ● Jun. 17, 2011
Her teeth were large and crooked, eyeteeth missing.
From "The Fighting Ground" by Avi
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Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
