Idioms are phrases that have a figurative meaning different from the literal words used. They add color to our language and often help us express complex ideas in a simple way.
In this article, we’ll explore a variety of idioms related to “blood.” Each idiom carries a unique meaning and can be used in different contexts.
Blood can be compared to things using similes, like saying it’s as red as a rose. You can find more examples at this link: Similes for Blood. Metaphors for blood use it symbolically to represent something else, like saying it’s the life force of the body. Check out some examples here: Metaphors for Blood.
What is an idiom for blood?
Idioms for blood are expressions that use the word “blood” in a symbolic way to convey various meanings.
These idioms may not have a direct connection to actual blood but instead represent deeper concepts, emotions, or situations.
Let’s explore the meaning of each idiom and see how they can be used in sentences.
Idiom | Meaning | Example Sentence |
---|---|---|
Blood is thicker than water | Family bonds are stronger than friendships or other relationships. | Even though they had been best friends for years, Sarah chose to help her family during tough times. |
Blood runs cold | Feeling fear or experiencing a chilling sensation. | As the horror movie reached its climax, John felt his blood run cold, and he couldn’t bear to watch anymore. |
Blood money | Money obtained through immoral or wrongful means, often associated with crimes. | The corrupt politician was caught accepting blood money in exchange for favors, leading to his downfall. |
Blood on your hands | To be responsible for a wrongdoing or a crime. | The careless driver had blood on his hands after causing a tragic accident that resulted in multiple injuries. |
Blood in the water | A situation where someone’s weakness or vulnerability becomes evident and is exploited by others. | After the company’s financial troubles were exposed, rival businesses began circling like sharks, sensing blood in the water. |
Blood is thicker than milk | Emphasizing that family bonds are stronger than those formed through shared experiences. | While he cherished his college friendships, he knew that blood is thicker than milk and that his family would always come first. |
Blood, sweat, and tears | The hard work, effort, and dedication required to achieve success. | She put in hours of blood, sweat, and tears to prepare for the important exam, and her efforts paid off with a top score. |
Blood feud | A long-standing and bitter conflict between two families or groups. | The blood feud between the Hatfields and the McCoys lasted for generations and resulted in many casualties. |
Blood is thicker than wine | Family ties are more important than indulging in pleasures or celebrations. | Although they enjoyed a glass of wine together, they knew that blood is thicker than wine, and their family connection was paramount. |
Bloodshot eyes | Eyes that appear red and irritated, often due to fatigue, illness, or excessive drinking. | After staying up all night studying for the exam, Mary had bloodshot eyes that made her look exhausted. |
Blood is thicker than oil | Family bonds are more significant than financial interests or business partnerships. | Despite the lucrative offer, he decided not to work with his cousin, believing that blood is thicker than oil. |
Blood will tell | A belief that a person’s character or behavior will eventually reveal their true nature. | No matter how well someone pretends to be kind, in the end, blood will tell, and their true intentions will become evident. |
Blood is thicker than friendship | Prioritizing family relationships over friendships. | Although he valued his friends, he had to cancel his plans to help his sister, understanding that blood is thicker than friendship. |
Blood and guts | A phrase often used in the context of intense and brutal situations. | The horror movie was filled with blood and guts, leaving the audience shocked by its graphic scenes. |
Blood is thicker than loyalty | Emphasizing that family bonds are stronger than any sense of loyalty to a group or organization. | Even though he had been a loyal employee for years, he decided to leave the company when his family needed him, believing that blood is thicker than loyalty. |
Blood is thicker than gold | Family is more important than material wealth or riches. | Despite the lucrative job offer in another city, she chose to stay with her family, knowing that blood is thicker than gold. |
Blood relation | A family member related by birth, such as a parent, sibling, or cousin. | The DNA test confirmed that they were indeed blood relations, separated for many years. |
Blood is thicker than honey | Family bonds are more important than the sweetness of flattery or compliments. | She appreciated the compliments from her friends, but she knew that blood is thicker than honey and valued her family’s support more. |
Bloodcurdling scream | A scream that is extremely frightening or horrifying. | The horror movie’s climax featured a bloodcurdling scream that sent shivers down the audience’s spines. |
Blood is thicker than water under the bridge | Past conflicts or disagreements within a family are forgiven and forgotten in times of need. | Despite their previous arguments, they came together to support their mother when she fell ill, proving that blood is thicker than water under the bridge. |
Blood is thicker than promises | Family bonds are more important than commitments or pledges. | He chose to keep his promise to his sister over attending a social event, believing that blood is thicker than promises. |
Blood is thicker than ambition | Family ties should take precedence over personal goals and ambitions. | She had big career aspirations, but when her brother needed help, she realized that blood is thicker than ambition and put her goals on hold to assist him. |
Blood is thicker than truth | Preferring to protect family members from the consequences of their actions, even if it means concealing the truth. | Despite knowing the truth about her brother’s mistake, she chose not to reveal it to their parents, believing that blood is thicker than truth. |
Blood oath | A solemn and binding promise or commitment made under the most serious circumstances. | The two friends made a blood oath to always be there for each other, no matter what challenges they faced. |
Blood is thicker than secrets | Family loyalty is more important than keeping secrets. | He couldn’t keep his sister’s secret any longer and decided to share it with their parents, believing that blood is thicker than secrets. |
Blood is thicker than compromise | Family bonds should not be compromised, even when faced with difficult decisions. | Despite their differing opinions, they found a way to resolve their conflicts without compromising the fact that blood is thicker than compromise. |
Blood is thicker than excuses | Family ties are more important than excuses or justifications for one’s actions. | Instead of making excuses, he accepted responsibility for his mistakes and sought to make amends, recognizing that blood is thicker than excuses. |

Idioms for Blood
1. Blood is thicker than water.
Meaning: Family bonds are stronger than friendships or other relationships.
In a Sentence: Even though they had been best friends for years, Sarah chose to help her family during tough times, proving that blood is thicker than water.
2. Blood runs cold.
Meaning: Feeling fear or experiencing a chilling sensation.
In a Sentence: As the horror movie reached its climax, John felt his blood run cold, and he couldn’t bear to watch anymore.
3. Blood money.
Meaning: Money obtained through immoral or wrongful means, often associated with crimes.
In a Sentence: The corrupt politician was caught accepting blood money in exchange for favors, leading to his downfall.
4. Blood on your hands.
Meaning: To be responsible for a wrongdoing or a crime.
In a Sentence: The careless driver had blood on his hands after causing a tragic accident that resulted in multiple injuries.
5. Blood in the water.
Meaning: A situation where someone’s weakness or vulnerability becomes evident and is exploited by others.
In a Sentence: After the company’s financial troubles were exposed, rival businesses began circling like sharks, sensing blood in the water.
6. Blood is thicker than milk.
Meaning: Emphasizing that family bonds are stronger than those formed through shared experiences.
In a Sentence: While he cherished his college friendships, he knew that blood is thicker than milk and that his family would always come first.
7. Blood, sweat, and tears.
Meaning: The hard work, effort, and dedication required to achieve success.
In a Sentence: She put in hours of blood, sweat, and tears to prepare for the important exam, and her efforts paid off with a top score.
8. Blood feud.
Meaning: A long-standing and bitter conflict between two families or groups.
In a Sentence: The blood feud between the Hatfields and the McCoys lasted for generations and resulted in many casualties.
9. Blood is thicker than wine.
Meaning: Family ties are more important than indulging in pleasures or celebrations.
In a Sentence: Although they enjoyed a glass of wine together, they knew that blood is thicker than wine, and their family connection was paramount.
10. Bloodshot eyes.
Meaning: Eyes that appear red and irritated, often due to fatigue, illness, or excessive drinking.
In a Sentence: After staying up all night studying for the exam, Mary had bloodshot eyes that made her look exhausted.
11. Blood is thicker than oil.
Meaning: Family bonds are more significant than financial interests or business partnerships.
In a Sentence: Despite the lucrative offer, he decided not to work with his cousin, believing that blood is thicker than oil.
12. Blood will tell.
Meaning: A belief that a person’s character or behavior will eventually reveal their true nature.
In a Sentence: No matter how well someone pretends to be kind, in the end, blood will tell, and their true intentions will become evident.
13. Blood is thicker than friendship.
Meaning: Prioritizing family relationships over friendships.
In a Sentence: Although he valued his friends, he had to cancel his plans to help his sister, understanding that blood is thicker than friendship.
14. Blood and guts.
Meaning: A phrase often used in the context of intense and brutal situations.
In a Sentence: The horror movie was filled with blood and guts, leaving the audience shocked by its graphic scenes.
15. Blood is thicker than loyalty.
Meaning: Emphasizing that family bonds are stronger than any sense of loyalty to a group or organization.
In a Sentence: Even though he had been a loyal employee for years, he decided to leave the company when his family needed him, believing that blood is thicker than loyalty.
16. Blood is thicker than gold.
Meaning: Family is more important than material wealth or riches.
In a Sentence: Despite the lucrative job offer in another city, she chose to stay with her family, knowing that blood is thicker than gold.
17. Blood relation.
Meaning: A family member related by birth, such as a parent, sibling, or cousin.
In a Sentence: The DNA test confirmed that they were indeed blood relations, separated for many years.
18. Blood is thicker than honey.
Meaning: Family bonds are more important than the sweetness of flattery or compliments.
In a Sentence: She appreciated the compliments from her friends, but she knew that blood is thicker than honey and valued her family’s support more.
19. Bloodcurdling scream.
Meaning: A scream that is extremely frightening or horrifying.
In a Sentence: The horror movie’s climax featured a bloodcurdling scream that sent shivers down the audience’s spines.
20. Blood is thicker than water under the bridge.
Meaning: Past conflicts or disagreements within a family are forgiven and forgotten in times of need.
In a Sentence: Despite their previous arguments, they came together to support their mother when she fell ill, proving that blood is thicker than water under the bridge.
21. Blood is thicker than promises.
Meaning: Family bonds are more important than commitments or pledges.
In a Sentence: He chose to keep his promise to his sister over attending a social event, believing that blood is thicker than promises.
22. Blood is thicker than ambition.
Meaning: Family ties should take precedence over personal goals and ambitions.
In a Sentence: She had big career aspirations, but when her brother needed help, she realized that blood is thicker than ambition and put her goals on hold to assist him.
23. Blood is thicker than truth.
Meaning: Preferring to protect family members from the consequences of their actions, even if it means concealing the truth.
In a Sentence: Despite knowing the truth about her brother’s mistake, she chose not to reveal it to their parents, believing that blood is thicker than truth.
24. Blood oath.
Meaning: A solemn and binding promise or commitment made under the most serious circumstances.
In a Sentence: The two friends made a blood oath to always be there for each other, no matter what challenges they faced.
25. Blood is thicker than secrets.
Meaning: Family loyalty is more important than keeping secrets.
In a Sentence: He couldn’t keep his sister’s secret any longer and decided to share it with their parents, believing that blood is thicker than secrets.
26. Blood is thicker than compromise.
Meaning: Family bonds should not be compromised, even when faced with difficult decisions.
In a Sentence: Despite their differing opinions, they found a way to resolve their conflicts without compromising the fact that blood is thicker than compromise.
27. Blood is thicker than excuses.
Meaning: Family ties are more important than excuses or justifications for one’s actions.
In a Sentence: Instead of making excuses, he accepted responsibility for his mistakes and sought to make amends, recognizing that blood is thicker than excuses.
Here are 10 quiz questions about the idioms discussed in the article:
Quiz 1: Blood Idioms
- What does the idiom “Blood is thicker than water” mean?
- A. Family bonds are stronger than friendships.
- B. Water is thicker than blood.
- C. Blood is not important.
- When do you feel your “blood runs cold”?
- A. When you exercise.
- B. When you’re excited.
- C. When you experience fear.
- What is “blood money” associated with?
- A. Honest earnings.
- B. Immoral or wrongful means.
- C. Blood donation.
Quiz 2: Family Loyalty
- When might someone have “blood on their hands”?
- A. When they help others.
- B. When they commit a crime or wrongdoing.
- C. After washing their hands.
- What does “blood in the water” represent?
- A. A situation involving actual blood.
- B. Exploiting someone’s weakness.
- C. A swimming pool accident.
Quiz 3: Prioritizing Family
- What does the idiom “Blood is thicker than milk” emphasize?
- A. The importance of dairy products.
- B. That family bonds are stronger than shared experiences.
- C. That milk is thicker than water.
- What does the phrase “Blood, sweat, and tears” describe?
- A. A tasty meal.
- B. Hard work, effort, and dedication.
- C. A medical condition.
Quiz 4: Feuds and Conflict
- What is a “blood feud” characterized by?
- A. A friendly competition.
- B. A bitter and long-standing conflict between families or groups.
- C. A love story.
- What does “blood is thicker than wine” suggest?
- A. Drinking wine is more important than family gatherings.
- B. Family bonds are more important than celebrating with wine.
- C. Wine is thicker than blood.
Quiz 5: Health and Appearance
- When might someone have “bloodshot eyes”?
- A. After a good night’s sleep.
- B. After crying tears of joy.
- C. Due to fatigue, illness, or excessive drinking.
Feel free to use these questions to test your knowledge or share them as quizzes with others to learn more about these idioms for blood.
Conclusion
Idioms for blood offer unique insights into the importance of family, loyalty, and emotions in our lives. These expressions may use the word “blood” symbolically, but they carry significant meanings that resonate with our experiences.