Idioms are special phrases that we use every day to express ideas in a creative way. When we talk about “blood” in idioms, we are usually not talking about real blood. Instead, we use blood to describe family connections, strong relationships, or deep emotions. For example, saying “blood is thicker than water” means family bonds are stronger than other relationships. These phrases make conversations more colorful and interesting.
In this article, we will explore some common idioms related to blood. These idioms help us understand how language can express feelings and ideas about connection and family. Let’s look at these sayings to see how they bring new meanings to everyday language.
Idioms for Blood
1. Blood is thicker than water
Meaning: Family bonds are stronger than other relationships.
To Provide an Example: No matter how much I fight with my brother, blood is thicker than water, and we always make up.
Alternative Meaning: Family will always come first. / Family relationships are deeper than other friendships.
2. Bad blood
Meaning: Strong feelings of anger or hostility between people.
To Provide an Example: There was bad blood between the two teams after the match.
Alternative Meaning: Dislike or hatred between people. / A disagreement that causes long-lasting anger.
3. Keep it in the family
Meaning: To keep secrets or problems within the family rather than sharing them with others.
To Provide an Example: We decided to keep it in the family and not tell anyone about the surprise party.
Alternative Meaning: Keep private matters within the family. / Don’t share family issues with outsiders.
4. Blood on your hands
Meaning: To be responsible for something bad that has happened.
To Provide an Example: After the argument, he felt like he had blood on his hands for hurting his friend.
Alternative Meaning: Feeling guilty for causing harm. / Taking responsibility for a bad outcome.
5. The blood of the covenant is thicker than the water of the womb
Meaning: Relationships made by choice (such as friends) can be stronger than those by birth (family).
To Provide an Example: He always says that the blood of the covenant is thicker than the water of the womb, meaning his friends are like family to him.
Alternative Meaning: Friendships can be deeper than family ties. / Chosen bonds can be more meaningful than natural ones.
6. Blood runs thicker than water
Meaning: Family ties are stronger than friendships.
To Provide an Example: Even though they have had some disagreements, they always stick together because blood runs thicker than water.
Alternative Meaning: Family support is always there, no matter what. / The connection with family is stronger than other bonds.
7. A blood relation
Meaning: Someone who is directly related to you by birth.
To Provide an Example: My cousin is a blood relation, so we share the same family history.
Alternative Meaning: A relative by birth. / Someone who is part of your biological family.
8. Have a blood feud
Meaning: To have a long-lasting conflict, especially between families.
To Provide an Example: The two families had a blood feud that lasted for generations.
Alternative Meaning: A long-standing and bitter argument between families. / A deep, unresolved conflict.
9. To be in the blood
Meaning: To be a natural characteristic or talent passed down through generations.
To Provide an Example: She has dancing in her blood, just like her mother.
Alternative Meaning: An ability or feature inherited from family members. / A talent passed down through generations.
10. Shed blood
Meaning: To cause harm or violence, especially in wars.
To Provide an Example: The soldiers shed blood for their country during the war.
Alternative Meaning: To injure or fight. / To sacrifice one’s life or well-being for a cause.
11. Blood is thicker than water, but water is thicker than blood
Meaning: Friends can sometimes be more dependable than family members.
To Provide an Example: Although I love my family, my best friend has been there for me more than my relatives. It shows that blood is thicker than water, but water is thicker than blood.
Alternative Meaning: Sometimes friendships can be stronger than family connections. / A reminder that not all family bonds are solid.
12. Blood will tell
Meaning: Your true nature or family traits will eventually show.
To Provide an Example: She always was a kind person, and blood will tell; she became a volunteer for the community.
Alternative Meaning: Family traits will eventually appear. / A person’s true identity or character will come out.
13. Blood brothers
Meaning: A very close and loyal friendship, almost like family.
To Provide an Example: After years of supporting each other, they became blood brothers, no different than if they were family.
Alternative Meaning: A friendship so deep that it feels like a family bond. / A strong and unbreakable connection between two people.
14. Blood and thunder
Meaning: Something dramatic, intense, or full of action.
To Provide an Example: The movie was full of blood and thunder, with epic battles and intense drama.
Alternative Meaning: A lot of excitement or conflict. / Very intense or thrilling events.
15. The blood of the martyrs is the seed of the church
Meaning: Sacrifice often leads to growth and strength in the face of adversity.
To Provide an Example: The community grew stronger after the tragedy, proving that the blood of the martyrs is the seed of the church.
Alternative Meaning: Sacrifice can inspire change or growth. / Great struggles can lead to greater achievements.
16. Blood runs in the family
Meaning: Traits or behaviors that are inherited from family members.
To Provide an Example: His love for music really shows; blood runs in the family, as both his parents are musicians.
Alternative Meaning: Family members share similar qualities. / Traits passed down from generation to generation.
17. Make someone’s blood boil
Meaning: To make someone very angry.
To Provide an Example: Hearing that unfair decision made my blood boil.
Alternative Meaning: To cause strong feelings of anger. / To upset someone deeply.
18. Get the blood pumping
Meaning: To excite or energize someone.
To Provide an Example: The thrilling game really got the blood pumping.
Alternative Meaning: To wake someone up or make them more alert. / To stimulate or energize.
19. Crying bloody murder
Meaning: To complain loudly and dramatically.
To Provide an Example: He was crying bloody murder when he lost the game.
Alternative Meaning: To complain loudly. / To make a big fuss over something.
20. Have a blood-tingling experience
Meaning: An experience that causes excitement or fear.
To Provide an Example: The roller coaster ride was a blood-tingling experience.
Alternative Meaning: An exciting or frightening experience. / Something that causes thrill or fear.
21. Blood, sweat, and tears
Meaning: Hard work and effort, often with sacrifice.
To Provide an Example: They built their business with blood, sweat, and tears.
Alternative Meaning: Great effort and sacrifice. / Hard work that is emotionally or physically demanding.
22. Bled dry
Meaning: To take all the money or resources from someone.
To Provide an Example: After paying all the bills, they were bled dry and had no savings left.
Alternative Meaning: To use up all of someone’s resources. / To drain someone financially.
23. Blood is the price of a good wife
Meaning: Marriage and family involve sacrifices, and sometimes, difficulty or struggle.
To Provide an Example: He knew that love and family weren’t always easy, but blood is the price of a good wife.
Alternative Meaning: Sometimes commitment to family requires hardship. / Marriage involves giving something up.
24. Blood in, blood out
Meaning: A saying often used to show commitment to a group or family, where you must remain loyal.
To Provide an Example: Once you’re in the group, it’s blood in, blood out; you’re always part of the team.
Alternative Meaning: Once committed, you cannot easily leave. / Loyalty to a group or family is permanent.
25. Bloodthirsty
Meaning: Someone who is very cruel, violent, or eager to hurt others.
To Provide an Example: The bloodthirsty ruler was feared by all his people.
Alternative Meaning: Extremely violent or savage. / Eager for bloodshed or conflict.
26. A bloodshot eye
Meaning: An eye that is red or inflamed, often from tiredness or illness.
To Provide an Example: After working late, he had a bloodshot eye the next morning.
Alternative Meaning: An eye that is red due to strain or illness. / Showing signs of fatigue or irritation in the eyes.
27. A blood pact
Meaning: A promise or agreement that is very serious or sacred, often with symbolic meaning.
To Provide an Example: The two friends made a blood pact to always stand by each other.
Alternative Meaning: A serious or sacred agreement. / An unbreakable promise between two people.
28. Blood will tell
Meaning: A person’s true nature or family traits will eventually show.
To Provide an Example: He always had a talent for music, and as he grew older, blood will tell; he became a musician.
Alternative Meaning: Family characteristics or qualities will eventually show. / Inherited traits become clear over time.
29. Red blooded
Meaning: Full of energy or spirit, often used to describe someone who is courageous or lively.
To Provide an Example: She’s a red-blooded athlete, always pushing herself to the limit.
Alternative Meaning: Full of vigor or strength. / Energetic and full of life.
30. Blood boils
Meaning: To get very angry or upset.
To Provide an Example: His unfair comments made my blood boil.
Alternative Meaning: To become extremely angry. / To get very mad.
31. Blood relative
Meaning: A person who is related by birth, not by marriage.
To Provide an Example: Although we’re family, he’s not a blood relative, but I still care for him deeply.
Alternative Meaning: A person who shares a biological relationship with you. / A relative you are connected to by blood.
32. In cold blood
Meaning: To do something cruel without emotion or remorse.
To Provide an Example: He committed the crime in cold blood, without any feelings of guilt.
Alternative Meaning: To act without empathy or remorse. / To perform a cruel or evil act calmly.
33. Blood-curdling
Meaning: Extremely frightening or horrifying.
To Provide an Example: The horror movie had a blood-curdling scene that scared everyone.
Alternative Meaning: Very frightening or terrifying. / Something that causes extreme fear.
34. Blood and guts
Meaning: Intense or graphic violence, often in movies or stories.
To Provide an Example: The action movie was full of blood and guts, but it was exciting to watch.
Alternative Meaning: Extreme violence or brutality. / Scenes of graphic fighting or harm.
35. From the blood and sweat of the people
Meaning: Something that is earned through hard work, often by the community.
To Provide an Example: The new park was built from the blood and sweat of the community members.
Alternative Meaning: Achieved through hard work and sacrifice. / Earned by the efforts of a group.
36. Blood pressure
Meaning: The force of blood against the walls of the arteries, which can affect health.
To Provide an Example: High blood pressure can lead to health problems, so it’s important to monitor it.
Alternative Meaning: The measurement of the force of blood in the arteries. / A key factor in cardiovascular health.
37. Blood-sucker
Meaning: A person or thing that drains resources or energy, often selfishly.
To Provide an Example: He’s like a blood-sucker, always asking for favors but never offering help.
Alternative Meaning: A person who takes from others without giving. / A selfish or exploitative person.
38. Blood-tingling
Meaning: Causing excitement, fear, or thrill.
To Provide an Example: The suspenseful story was blood-tingling, keeping me on edge the whole time.
Alternative Meaning: Causing strong emotions, like fear or excitement. / A thrilling or chilling feeling.
39. Blood brotherhood
Meaning: A strong bond of loyalty or friendship, similar to a family relationship.
To Provide an Example: They shared a blood brotherhood after surviving a dangerous adventure together.
Alternative Meaning: A deep and loyal friendship. / A strong connection based on trust and shared experience.
40. In someone’s blood
Meaning: Something that is a natural part of someone’s personality or character.
To Provide an Example: Being artistic is in her blood; her whole family is full of painters.
Alternative Meaning: Something innate or inherited. / A trait that runs naturally through a family.
41. Blood money
Meaning: Money earned through unethical or immoral means, often from causing harm.
To Provide an Example: The company made blood money by exploiting workers in unsafe conditions.
Alternative Meaning: Money gained from violence or wrongdoing. / Earnings from a harmful or unethical source.
42. Out for blood
Meaning: To seek revenge or harm someone.
To Provide an Example: After the fight, he was out for blood, determined to get back at his rival.
Alternative Meaning: Seeking revenge. / Wanting to hurt or defeat someone badly.
43. Bloodthirsty
Meaning: Desiring to cause harm or violence.
To Provide an Example: The villain in the movie was bloodthirsty, constantly seeking destruction.
Alternative Meaning: Wanting to hurt or kill. / Full of a violent desire to harm.
44. Have someone’s blood on your hands
Meaning: To be responsible for someone’s harm or death.
To Provide an Example: After the accident, he felt like he had someone’s blood on his hands.
Alternative Meaning: To be responsible for causing harm. / To feel guilty for someone’s misfortune.
45. Blood is thicker than water
Meaning: Family connections are stronger than friendships.
To Provide an Example: Even though they argue sometimes, blood is thicker than water, and they always stick together.
Alternative Meaning: Family ties are stronger than any other relationships. / Family support is unbreakable.
46. Make your blood run cold
Meaning: To frighten or shock someone greatly.
To Provide an Example: The sudden noise in the dark made my blood run cold.
Alternative Meaning: To feel extreme fear. / To shock or terrify someone deeply.
47. Bloodied but unbowed
Meaning: To be hurt but still determined or strong.
To Provide an Example: Despite all the challenges, he remained bloodied but unbowed.
Alternative Meaning: Enduring hardship with strength. / Staying strong even when things are tough.
48. The blood that runs in your veins
Meaning: A figurative way to describe your heritage or ancestry.
To Provide an Example: The blood that runs in her veins comes from a long line of musicians.
Alternative Meaning: Your family background or lineage. / The ancestry that defines you.
49. Blood-stained
Meaning: Covered with or marked by blood, often in a violent context.
To Provide an Example: The blood-stained clothes were evidence of the brutal fight.
Alternative Meaning: Covered in or marked by blood. / Associated with violence or harm.
50. Shed someone’s blood
Meaning: To kill or harm someone.
To Provide an Example: The warrior shed his enemy’s blood during the battle.
Alternative Meaning: To kill or seriously injure. / To cause harm or death to someone.
Trials for Success: Idioms for Blood
- My brother and I had a fight, but we always make up because _______.
- There was _______ between the two families after the argument.
- He didn’t tell anyone about the family secret because he decided to _______.
- When I heard that unfair accusation, it really made my _______ boil.
- They have so many similarities. They’re like _______.
- When we were stuck on the problem, we decided to _______ and solve it together.
- I can’t believe how fast they _______ at the party. They became great friends!
- He promised he would always be there for me, no matter what. He’s got my _______.
- I felt my _______ run cold when I saw the ghost in the window.
- It felt like a _______ experience when I walked through the haunted house.
- After the heated argument, they decided to _______ and apologize to each other.
- I don’t think I can work with him anymore. There’s just too much _______ between us.
- It was an exciting match; the fans’ _______ was pumping as they cheered for their team.
- The teacher helped the students _______ after they were confused about the instructions.
- He didn’t get along with the new employee, but after a few conversations, they started to _______.
Answer Key
- blood is thicker than water
- bad blood
- keep it in the family
- blood boil
- two peas in a pod
- join forces
- hit it off
- back
- blood
- blood-tingling
- patch things up
- blood
- blood
- break the ice
- click with someone
Conclusion
Idioms related to blood have a special way of expressing feelings and relationships. They help us talk about everything from family bonds to deep emotions like anger and fear. These phrases bring extra meaning to our conversations, making them more interesting and colorful.
By understanding and using idioms, we can connect with others better, describe situations more vividly, and make our language richer. So, the next time you’re talking about your family or a strong emotion, remember these idioms and use them to share your thoughts in a more creative way. Keep learning and keep speaking with those meaningful phrases!
