all the tea in China
English edit
Etymology edit
Because of the large amount of tea in China, and its value.
Pronunciation edit
Audio (AU) (file)
Noun edit
all the tea in China (uncountable)
- (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[1], 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 edit
Translations edit
something priceless or invaluable
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