all the tea in China

English

Etymology

Because of the large amount of tea in China, and its value.

Pronunciation
  • Audio (AU)(file)

Noun

all the tea in China (uncountable)

  1. (idiomatic, hyperbolic) Something very valuable or priceless.
    I wouldn't trade you away for all the tea in China.
    • 1986, William Shatner, Catherine Hicks, 1:07:18 from the start, in Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home‎, Paramount Pictures, →OCLC:
      KIRK: Ha, ha, ha. Okay, the truth. I am from what, on your calendar, would be the late twenty-third century. I've come back in time to bring two humpback whales with me in an attempt to repopulate the species.
      GILLIAN: Well, why didn't you just say so? I mean, why all the coy disguises?
      KIRK: You want the details?
      GILLIAN: Oh! I wouldn't miss this for all the tea in China.

Synonyms
  • all the gold in Fort Knox
  • all the money in the world

Translations

See also
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