0
Joseph A Posted 8 years ago
Grammar

To lose my hand than turn against my duty

Hello everyone,

Could you please tell me what the phrase "to lose my hand than turn against my duty" means in the following sentence?

- And you're telling me you'd join those men? Not you! I'd prefer to lose my hand than turn against my duty.

Source:Treasure Island, chapter "The first shot".

Regards,

JA

  

Top answer

An old punishment for stealing was to have your right hand cut off. I think it still is in certain countries. The speaker would rather get that punishment than to be disloyal.

— AlpheccaStars

  • An old punishment for stealing was to have your right hand cut off.
  • I think it still is in certain countries.
  • The speaker would rather get that punishment than to be disloyal.
Free · every Monday

Get the Weekly English Kit 📬

New words, one handy idiom, and a 2-minute quiz — delivered to your inbox to keep your streak alive.

1 Answers
0

An old punishment for stealing was to have your right hand cut off. I think it still is in certain countries.

The speaker would rather get that punishment than to be disloyal.

0

Related Questions