price on one's head



price on one's head

A reward for capturing or killing someone, usually someone guilty of a crime. For example, He was a serial killer, and they put a price on his head. The head in this term presumably alludes to the older punishment of beheading. [Mid-1700s]
See also: head, on, price

Common Names:

NameGenderPronouncedUsage
GalloGAHL-loItalian
KaroliinaKAH-ro-lee:-nahFinnish
Keziahkə-ZIE-ə (English)Biblical
Sa'di-Arabic
Truls-Norwegian, Swedish
GraemeGRAY-əm, GRAMScottish, English (Rare)