1
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Phrase(s): draw blood
1. Lit. to hit or bite (a person or an animal) and make a wound that bleeds. • The dog chased me and bit me hard, but it didn’t draw blood. • The boxer landed just one punch and drew blood immediately. 2. Fig. to anger or insult a person. • Sally screamed out a terrible insult at Tom. Judging by the look on his face, she really drew blood. • Tom started yelling and cursing, trying to insult Sally. He wouldn’t be satisfied until he had drawn blood, too.
McGrawhill's American Idioms And Phrasal Verbs
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Injure someone physically or emotionally. For example, The bullet skimmed his shoulder and barely drew any blood, or That reviewer really knows how to draw blood. This term alludes to drawing blood for diagnostic purposes.
American Heritage Idioms