bad blood in English
- bad blood⇄bad blood
very unfriendly feeling; hatred.
Ex. There was bad blood between Cain and Abel. Bad blood between key lawmakers will keep Congress roiled up for months (Wall Street Journal).
bad blood
Part of Speech
Noun
Pronunciation
/bæd blʌd/
Definitions
- Hostility, animosity, or resentment between individuals or groups.
- A negative or toxic relationship that often results from conflict or past grievances.
- Inherited or familial ill will, often passed down through generations.
Usage Examples
- There's been bad blood between them for years, and it doesn't seem to be getting better.
- The rivalry has caused bad blood within the community, leading to division.
- The family has long had bad blood, dating back to a conflict many years ago.
Etymology
The expression "bad blood" dates back to the 16th century and originally referred to the belief in medieval medicine that a person's temperament or behavior could be linked to the condition of their blood. Over time, it evolved to symbolize conflict or animosity between people, often involving deep-seated or inherited tensions.
Synonyms
- Enmity
- Rancor
- Aggression
- Hatred
- Ill will
Antonyms
- Amity
- Friendship
- Harmony
- Goodwill
- Solidarity
Translations
| Language | Translation | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| Arabic | دم فاسد | /dam fāsid/ |
| Chinese (Mandarin) | 坏血 | /huài xuè/ |
| French | Mauvais sang | /moˈvɛz sɑ̃/ |
| German | Schlechtes Blut | /ˈʃlɛçtəs bluːt/ |
| Hindi | खराब खून | /kharāb khūn/ |
| Italian | Sangue cattivo | /ˈsaŋɡwe katˈtivo/ |
| Japanese | 悪い血 | /warui chi/ |
| Portuguese | Sangue ruim | /ˈsaŋɡwi ʁuˈĩ/ |
| Russian | Плохая кровь | /plokhaya krov'/ |
| Spanish | Sangre mala | /ˈsaŋɡɾe ˈmala/ |
| Swedish | Dåligt blod | /ˈdɔːlɪɡt bluːd/ |
| Turkish | Kötü kan | /køtü kan/ |
| Thai | เลือดไม่ดี | /lʉ̂at mài dii/ |
| Greek | Κακό αίμα | /kaˈko ˈema/ |
| Hebrew | דם רע | /dam ra/ |
| Korean | 나쁜 피 | /nappeun pi/ |
| Bengali | খারাপ রক্ত | /khārāp rākta/ |
| Punjabi | ਖ਼ਰਾਬ ਖੂਨ | /kharāb khūn/ |
| Marathi | वाईट रक्त | /vāiṭ rakt/ |
| Gujarati | ખોટું રક્ત | /khōṭuṁ rakt/ |
| Kannada | ಕೆಟ್ಟ ರಕ್ತ | /keṭṭa rakta/ |
| Malayalam | ചീത്ത രക്തം | /chīṭṭa rakthaṁ/ |
| Odia | ଖରାପ ରକ୍ତ | /khārāp rakta/ |
| Tamil | கெட்ட இரத்தம் | /keṭṭa irattam/ |
| Telugu | చెడు రక్తం | /ceḍu raktaṁ/ |
| Assamese | খাৰাপ ৰক্ত | /khārāp rākta/ |
| Sanskrit | दुष्ट रक्त | /duṣṭa rakta/ |
Regional Pronunciation Variations
While the phrase "bad blood" is commonly understood worldwide, some regions may pronounce it with slight variations. In some English dialects, there might be a tendency to emphasize the word "blood" more strongly, while in others, the phrase might be spoken more quickly or with less emphasis on the "bad" part.
Historical Usage
The phrase "bad blood" has been used since the early 16th century, originally referring to blood that was considered unhealthy or toxic. Over time, it became a metaphor for interpersonal conflict, referring to ongoing tensions, often within families or rival groups.
Cultural Nuances
In many cultures, the concept of "bad blood" extends beyond simple animosity to indicate deep, generational conflict that is difficult to resolve. It often carries the implication that past wrongs or disputes are the root cause of ongoing negative feelings between individuals or groups.
More Information
“Bad blood” refers to a state of mutual hostility or animosity, often suggesting that the tension has been building over a long period. Whether in a family, community, or group, when bad blood exists, it can be difficult to resolve due to the long history of grievances or hurt feelings. The phrase is often used to refer to feuds, whether personal, political, or professional, and typically signifies a situation that is emotionally charged and difficult to heal.