Blood is a word we hear often in stories, movies, and even real life. But did you know that people in the USA use the word “blood” in special phrases too? These phrases are called idioms. Idioms are groups of words that mean something different from what the words say. They make talking and writing more fun and interesting.
“Idioms about blood” don’t always talk about real blood. They are used to share strong feelings, family ties, or how people act. These sayings have been around for a long time and are part of how people speak every day. In this article, you’ll learn some cool blood idioms, what they mean, and how Americans use them in daily life. Let’s take a look at these colorful phrases.
Idioms About Blood
1. Blood is thicker than water
Meaning: Family comes first before friends.
Example Sentence:
• Even though they fight, he helped his brother because blood is thicker than water.
• She went to her cousin’s game instead of a party. Blood is thicker than water.
Other ways to say: Family matters most, family first
Fun Fact/Origin: This idiom has been used for hundreds of years. It reminds people that family bonds are strong.
Usage: Common in the USA when choosing family over others.
2. In cold blood
Meaning: Doing something mean without feeling bad.
Example Sentence:
• The villain hurt people in cold blood in the movie.
• He told a lie in cold blood and didn’t care.
Other ways to say: Without guilt, heartlessly
Fun Fact/Origin: This phrase means a person was calm, not angry or upset, during a bad act.
Usage: Often heard in news or crime shows.
3. Boil one’s blood
Meaning: To make someone very angry.
Example Sentence:
• It boils my blood when someone cheats.
• His rude words really boiled her blood.
Other ways to say: Make mad, really upset
Fun Fact/Origin: It paints a picture of blood getting hot from anger.
Usage: Used to show strong anger in conversations.
4. Blood on your hands
Meaning: Being responsible for something bad.
Example Sentence:
• He had blood on his hands after the mistake at work.
• The company had blood on its hands for polluting the river.
Other ways to say: At fault, to blame
Fun Fact/Origin: It means you did something wrong, like hurting others.
Usage: Often said when people don’t admit their guilt.
5. Draw blood
Meaning: To hurt someone, sometimes in a fight.
Example Sentence:
• The hockey game got rough, and one player drew blood.
• They argued so badly, it was like trying to draw blood.
Other ways to say: Hurt badly, cause pain
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from real fights where someone bleeds.
Usage: Seen in sports and arguments.
6. Make your blood run cold
Meaning: To scare someone a lot.
Example Sentence:
• The ghost story made her blood run cold.
• That loud crash made his blood run cold.
Other ways to say: Give chills, really scare
Fun Fact/Origin: Blood is linked with fear and shock, so “cold” blood means you froze with fear.
Usage: Used when something is super scary.
7. Bad blood
Meaning: Anger or hate between people.
Example Sentence:
• There’s bad blood between the two football teams.
• The neighbors have bad blood over a fence fight.
Other ways to say: Grudge, not friendly
Fun Fact/Origin: Bad feelings are thought to be “in the blood” after a fight.
Usage: Used in sports, family fights, or old arguments.
8. Get your blood pumping
Meaning: To get excited or energetic.
Example Sentence:
• That rollercoaster ride really got my blood pumping.
• The pep rally got everyone’s blood pumping before the game.
Other ways to say: Feel excited, full of energy
Fun Fact/Origin: When you’re excited, your heart beats faster and your blood moves more.
Usage: Used to describe action or excitement.
9. Blood boils
Meaning: Feeling very angry.
Example Sentence:
• My blood boils when people are mean to animals.
• His blood boiled during the unfair game.
Other ways to say: Super angry, fired up
Fun Fact/Origin: Like water boiling, it shows anger bubbling inside.
Usage: Used to show rising anger.
10. Hot-blooded
Meaning: Quick to get angry or act wild.
Example Sentence:
• He’s hot-blooded and yells when things go wrong.
• Her hot-blooded nature made her jump into the fight.
Other ways to say: Quick-tempered, fiery
Fun Fact/Origin: It means your blood feels “hot” from strong feelings.
Usage: Common in movies and sports.
11. Like getting blood from a stone
Meaning: Very hard to get something from someone.
Example Sentence:
• Asking him to share is like getting blood from a stone.
• Getting her to say sorry is like getting blood from a stone.
Other ways to say: Very difficult, almost impossible
Fun Fact/Origin: Stones have no blood, so it’s silly to even try. That’s the point.
Usage: Used when someone is stubborn or not helpful.
12. Make your blood boil
Meaning: To make you very upset or angry.
Example Sentence:
• It makes my blood boil when someone bullies others.
• Her rude words made his blood boil.
Other ways to say: Anger rising, super upset
Fun Fact/Origin: It’s like your body is heating up from being mad.
Usage: Common in school and family talks.
13. Blue blood
Meaning: Someone from a rich or royal family.
Example Sentence:
• The actor comes from blue blood and never had to worry about money.
• Some say he acts like blue blood because he’s rich.
Other ways to say: Wealthy background, upper class
Fun Fact/Origin: Long ago, pale skin showed blue veins and meant you didn’t work outdoors.
Usage: Used in books, news, and history stories.
14. Fresh blood
Meaning: New people with new energy or ideas.
Example Sentence:
• The team needs fresh blood to start winning.
• The school club got fresh blood this year.
Other ways to say: New help, new faces
Fun Fact/Origin: Like giving new life or power to a group.
Usage: Used in sports, clubs, or groups needing change.
15. Blood-curdling
Meaning: Extremely scary.
Example Sentence:
• We heard a blood-curdling scream in the haunted house.
• That story was blood-curdling.
Other ways to say: Terrifying, very scary
Fun Fact/Origin: People once believed fear could “curdle” or thicken blood.
Usage: Used for spooky things or scary movies.
16. Out for blood
Meaning: Wanting to get back at someone.
Example Sentence:
• After losing last time, the team was out for blood.
• He’s out for blood after the prank.
Other ways to say: Seeking revenge, really mad
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from hunting or battles where blood meant winning.
Usage: Often used in sports or after a fight.
17. In your blood
Meaning: A talent or interest that runs in the family.
Example Sentence:
• Music is in her blood—her mom and grandma are singers.
• Farming is in his blood.
Other ways to say: Born with it, runs in the family
Fun Fact/Origin: People believe some skills pass down through family.
Usage: Used to show natural skills or family jobs.
18. Blood ties
Meaning: Family relationships.
Example Sentence:
• They helped each other because of their blood ties.
• Blood ties are strong in our family.
Other ways to say: Family bond, related by blood
Fun Fact/Origin: Refers to people related by birth, not just friendship.
Usage: Common when talking about family loyalty.
19. Bad blood
Meaning: A grudge or dislike between people.
Example Sentence:
• There’s bad blood between those classmates.
• The neighbors have had bad blood for years.
Other ways to say: Not getting along, hard feelings
Fun Fact/Origin: People used to think bad emotions could stay in your blood.
Usage: Common in family, team, or school problems.
20. Blood, sweat, and tears
Meaning: A lot of hard work.
Example Sentence:
• She built her business with blood, sweat, and tears.
• That science project took blood, sweat, and tears.
Other ways to say: Really hard work, gave everything
Fun Fact/Origin: Shows deep effort, like working so hard it hurts.
Usage: Used when someone works very hard for something.
21. Spill blood
Meaning: To hurt or fight, often in battle.
Example Sentence:
• They said they’d spill blood if the game got rough.
• No need to spill blood over a small problem.
Other ways to say: Fight, cause harm
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from war where people were injured.
Usage: Sometimes heard in action movies or sports.
22. Run in the blood
Meaning: A trait or talent shared by family.
Example Sentence:
• Cooking skills run in the blood in her family.
• Math smarts run in the blood around here.
Other ways to say: Family gift, inherited talent
Fun Fact/Origin: Some believe things like skills or temper run through family bloodlines.
Usage: Used when whole families share something special.
23. Make your blood freeze
Meaning: To be very scared or shocked.
Example Sentence:
• That creepy noise made my blood freeze.
• The horror movie made his blood freeze.
Other ways to say: Super scary, gave me chills
Fun Fact/Origin: People say fear can make blood feel cold.
Usage: Common in ghost stories and scary tales.
24. Too rich for my blood
Meaning: Too expensive.
Example Sentence:
• That steakhouse is too rich for my blood.
• $200 shoes? Too rich for my blood.
Other ways to say: Can’t afford, too pricey
Fun Fact/Origin: Means you don’t have the money or can’t spend that much.
Usage: Common in daily talk about prices.
25. Sweat blood
Meaning: To work very hard or worry a lot.
Example Sentence:
• He sweat blood while studying for that math test.
• They sweat blood to finish the parade float on time.
Other ways to say: Work hard, stress out
Fun Fact/Origin: It means working so hard, it feels like sweating blood.
Usage: Used when people work hard or feel nervous.
Quiz: Idioms About Blood
Instructions: Choose the correct meaning for each idiom. Pick A, B, or C.
Question Key
1. What does “blood is thicker than water” mean?
A) Water is not important
B) Family relationships are stronger than friendships
C) Blood is more useful than water
2. If someone says “boil your blood,” what are they feeling?
A) Very cold
B) Very hungry
C) Very angry
3. What does “bad blood” mean between people?
A) They are best friends
B) They have had a fight or don’t get along
C) They both have the flu
4. What does “get your blood pumping” mean?
A) You feel tired
B) You feel sleepy
C) You feel excited or full of energy
5. What does “like getting blood from a stone” mean?
A) Very easy to get something
B) Very hard to get something
C) Finding a rock in the woods
6. What does “make your blood run cold” mean?
A) You’re scared
B) You need a sweater
C) You’re really happy
7. If someone says “in cold blood,” what does that mean?
A) They acted kindly
B) They acted without emotion
C) They were freezing
8. What does “too rich for my blood” mean?
A) Something is too expensive
B) Someone has a fancy meal
C) Blood makes people rich
9. What does “sweat blood” mean?
A) You’re hurt
B) You worked very hard
C) You’re scared of blood
10. What does it mean when something “runs in the blood”?
A) You have a fast heartbeat
B) It’s part of your family or something you inherit
C) You cut your finger
Answer Key
- B – Family relationships are stronger than friendships
- C – Very angry
- B – They have had a fight or don’t get along
- C – You feel excited or full of energy
- B – Very hard to get something
- A – You’re scared
- B – They acted without emotion
- A – Something is too expensive
- B – You worked very hard
- B – It’s part of your family or something you inherit
Wrapping Up
Blood idioms are part of everyday talk in the USA. They help people show strong feelings or talk about family and emotions in simple ways. From being “hot-blooded” to having “blood ties,” these sayings make speaking more colorful and fun. Now that you know them, you might start hearing them more often—in stories, movies, or even at school.
These expressions don’t mean real blood most of the time. They just help us explain feelings better. Next time you hear one, remember what it really means. Keep practicing and using them—you’ll sound more like a natural speaker.
