pound of flesh Definition

pound of flesh
noun

1. What is strictly speaking due in the fulfilment of a bargain even if it means causing unreasonable suffering or difficulties to the other party.

Form: get one's pound of flesh (usually)
Form: have one's pound of flesh

Etymology: 16c: from Shakespeare's The Merchant of Venice IV. i, in which a pound of flesh is stipulated as a penalty in a bargain.