ransom

赎金

The kidnappers demanded a ransom of two million dollars.

绑匪要求两百万美元的赎金。

赎身、赎回正式

The prisoners were held for months before their ransom.

那些俘虏被关押了好几个月才获赎。

赎回、付赎金赎出

The family sold everything to ransom their kidnapped son.

这家人变卖一切，只为把被绑架的儿子赎回来。

要挟、勒索hold someone to ransom

A small group of lawmakers is holding the whole budget to ransom.

一小群议员正拿整份预算案来要挟大家。

巨款、一大笔钱a king's ransom

That antique watch must have cost a king's ransom.

那只古董表想必花了一大笔钱。