Flesh and Blood – Idiom, Meaning and Sentence Examples

Well, well, if it isn’t another phrase to decipher! Jump into the pulse of the English language as I dissect the common saying flesh and blood. It’s used in so many ways in various contexts. But before we get into it, let’s answer one pressing question.

Is the Saying Flesh and Blood an Idiom?

Yes! Flesh and blood is an idiom. But it doesn’t suggest a scene from a horror movie or a biology lecture. Instead, it taps into the more sentimental part of our beings. Hang tight as I explain further.

The Meaning of Flesh and Blood

Here’s the scoop: flesh and blood is a phrase we use to refer to someone’s family, usually someone who’s a relative by birth, aka by blood. This idiom emphasizes the close, intimate, and often unbreakable bond shared by family members. But it can also be used to denote humanity or human nature, signifying that we all are, in fact, made of the same stuff.

Origin and Etymology Behind the Flesh and Blood Saying

This hearty idiom goes way back to biblical times, with references appearing in both the Old and New Testaments of the Bible.

An early instance of this saying in print was, of course, in the bible circa 1000, the Anglo-Saxon Gospels. You can find it in Matthew XVI 17, “Hit ye ne onwreah flaesc ne blood.”

It’s been used in its present sense since at least the 16th century to denote close kinship. It underscores our biological and emotional ties, reminding us of our shared humanity and familial bonds.

Synonyms for Flesh and Blood

• Kin
• Relative
• Family
• Kinfolk
• Blood relation
• Kinsman/Kinswoman
• Kith and kin
• One’s own

Flesh and Blood Sentence Examples

• Although we fight a lot, she’s still my flesh and blood, and I’d do anything for her.
• It was a relief to see my flesh and blood at the airport after spending a year abroad.
• I can’t believe my own flesh and blood would betray me like this.
• In the end, we’re all flesh and blood, susceptible to the same problems and emotions.
• It’s not just about the inheritance; he’s our flesh and blood, and we should care for him.
• He may be flesh and blood, but that doesn’t give him the right to treat us poorly.
• Despite their differences, they stood by each other because they were flesh and blood.
• The movie vividly portrays the struggles and triumphs of our flesh and blood.
• The rescue team worked tirelessly, reminding us of the resilience of human flesh and blood.
• It’s hard to accept that my own flesh and blood has grown up and is leaving for college.

And Now You Know!

That’s a wrap on my deep dive into the living, breathing idiom flesh and blood. If you ever feel a strong familial bond or just the shared joys and sorrows of our human condition, remember we are all but flesh and blood.