kings ransom

king's ransom  {n. phr.}
1. An excessively large sum of money extorted by kidnappers to let someone go free.
The Smith family had to pay a kings ransom for the freedom of their seven-year-old son, Tommy.
2. An exorbitant fee one is forced to pay.
The realtors exacted a king's ransom for that choice lot on the comer.
Categories: noun
Source: A Dictionary of American Idioms

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