# have blood on one's hands

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/have-blood-on-ones-hands
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

To be responsible for a violent act.

## Examples

- The criminal has blood on his hands after the robbery.
- The general refused to accept the peace treaty because he knew he had blood on his hands from the war.
- Although he claimed to be a man of peace, the dictator could not hide the fact that he had blood on his hands from the recent uprising.

---

From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.