Blood is the red liquid that runs through our veins and carries oxygen around our bodies.
FUN FACT – There is no plural for blood, it’s always singular. For example
- I cut myself and blood was spurting everywhere.
- There was blood all over the murder weapon.
blood idioms list
Let’s look at some popular body idioms that contain the word ‘blood’.
- bad blood
meaning – bitterness/hostility between people
example – There is bad blood between us. We fell out over a fence years ago. - blood brothers
meaning – men who swear to treat each other as brothers
example – This means that we’re blood brothers and that we’ll always have to stand by each other. - blood is thicker than water
meaning – family is more important than any other relationship
example – Do I go to my cousin’s wedding or a festival with my friends? Blood is thicker than water. - blood money
meaning – money received due to others misfortune/suffering
example – I could never be a hitman; blood money makes me sick. - blood runs cold
meaning – be terrified/frightened
example – The screams of the trapped workers made everyone’s blood run cold. - draw blood
meaning – make someone bleed
example – My parrot bit me. Luckily it didn’t draw blood, they have sharp beaks. - draw first blood
meaning – the first person to score/succeed/attack
example – The greens have drawn first blood, this is going to be one hell of a match. - flesh and blood
meaning – a close relative
example – Mary shopped her son to the police. How could she do that to her own flesh and blood. - have blood on one’s hands
meaning – be responsible for someone’s death
example – The president sent the troops to war without proper weapons. He’s got blood on his hands. - in cold blood
meaning – deliberately, ruthlessly, without emotion
example – Joey was killed in cold blood whilst walking home from a party. - in one’s blood
meaning – a skill/characteristic you have inherited from your family
example – I’m good with numbers, it’s in my blood. My dad and grandad are accountants. - like getting blood from stone
meaning – very difficult to get something from someone
example – Good luck trying to get your money back from Michael. It’s like getting blood from a stone. - make one’s blood boil
meaning – makes you very angry
example – It makes our blood boil to think he was living under our roof and stealing from us. - out for blood
meaning – determined to beat/punish someone
example – Jeff slapped his girlfriend. Her brothers are out for blood.
blood idioms list with pictures
Here’s some real life picture examples.
You can download a table of ‘blood’ idioms and expressions below.
If you’ve enjoyed this page, don’t forget to check out some more body idioms by clicking on the links below.
