E. Cobham Brewer 1810–1897. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 1898.
Tirer une Dent.
To draw a man’s tooth, or extort money from him. The allusion is to the tale told by Holinshed of King John, who extorted 10,000 marks from a Jew living at Bristol by extracting a tooth daily till he consented to provide the money. For seven successive days a tooth was taken, and then the Jew gave in.
