Pound of flesh

Pound of flesh is a metaphor for exacting one’s due recompense, no matter what the cost. It was coined by Shakespeare in Merchant of Venice Act IV, Scene I in the year 1600. In the play, Bassanio borrows money from Shylock, with Antonio as his guarantor. As collateral, Shylock demands literally, a pound of flesh cut from anywhere on Antonio's body. Shylock says, “The pound of flesh, which I demand of him is dearly bought; ‘tis mine and I will have it.”