ransom
noun [ C or U ] uk/ˈræn.səm/ us/ˈræn.səm/
赎金
a large amount of money that is demanded in exchange for someone who has been taken prisoner, or sometimes for an animal
a ransom demand/note 索要赎金／勒索赎金的字条
They demanded a huge ransom for the return of the little girl whom they had kidnapped. 他们索要巨额赎金作为放回被绑小女孩的条件。
The gang held the racehorse to/for ransom. 这个犯罪团伙扣留了赛马，以此勒索赎金。
Idiom
hold someone to ransomidiom UK (US hold someone ransom) 要挟（某人）；胁迫（某人）
to force someone to do something by putting that person in a situation where they have no choice
He claimed his country was being held to ransom by threats of withdrawing aid. 他声称他的国家被以撤回援助相威胁。
ransom
verb [ T ] uk/ˈræn.səm/ us/ˈræn.səm/
（付钱）赎（人），赎出，赎回
to pay money in order to set someone free
Her father ransomed her for a million dollars. 她父亲用100万美元把她赎了出来。