bad blood
Bad blood - Anger or animosity between individuals or groups. The blood was long regarded as the seat of human emotion, and by the sixteenth century, it was particularly associated with high temper and anger. “To breed bad (or ill) blood” meant to stir up hard feelings. In the late eighteenth century, both Jonathan Swift in England and Thomas Jefferson in America wrote of ill blood in this way, and a few years later, the English essayist Charles Lamb wrote of bad blood.
Related and Similar Terms
- Hatchet to Grind - Holding a grudge or having unresolved issues with someone.
- Vendetta - A prolonged and bitter feud.
- Feud - An ongoing conflict between individuals or groups.
Proverbs and Common Expressions
- “There’s bad blood between them.”
- “They have a bone to pick.”
- “To hold a grudge.”
Synonyms
- Hostility
- Enmity
- Resentment
Antonyms
- Harmony
- Amicability
- Concord
Humor-Filled Quotes
“Bad blood is thicker than water, which is why friendships sometimes feel like they’re boiling over.” — Anon E. Mouse
Literature, Books, and Songs
- Literature: “Romeo and Juliet” by William Shakespeare – a classic tale of feuding families.
- Book: “The Count of Monte Cristo” by Alexandre Dumas – revenge and vendettas galore.
- Song: “Bad Blood” by Taylor Swift – a pop anthem that belongs to this topic.
Inspirational Thought
“Knowing there is bad blood between us only means I need to work harder at finding peace.” — Harmony Alcott
Fair winds and fair skies; may your blood run calm and clear! 🌤️
— Lexi Linguista
