ENGLISH
REFERENCE

shed blood

idiom
Meaning

To kill or wound, or be wounded or killed, in violence.


Examples
SIMPLE

The soldiers shed blood to protect their home.

CONTEXTUAL

The history of the region is tragic because so many people shed blood during the long civil war.

COMPLEX

Throughout the centuries, countless generations have shed blood on these fields in a desperate struggle to defend their sovereignty.

Anchors to
Related idioms8entries
  1. 01

    blood and guts

    Gore; gruesome images.

  2. 02

    blood in the water

    In a competitive situation, the exhibition of apparent weakness or vulnerability by one party, especially when this leads to a feeling of vulnerability or greater pressure to perform on the part of the weak party, or enhanced expectation of victory by the others.

  3. 03

    blood is thicker than water

    Family relations and loyalties are stronger than relationships with people who are not family members.

  4. 04

    blood, sweat and tears

    A person's determination and hard work.

  5. 05

    get blood out of a stone

    To do something difficult, frustrating, or pointless.

  6. 06

    have blood on one's hands

    To be responsible for a violent act.

  7. 07

    have someone's blood on one's head

    To be responsible for someone's death, pain, or misfortune.

  8. 08

    make someone's blood boil

    To cause a person to feel angry or very annoyed, especially in situation in which one cannot fully display that feeling to others.

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