bad blood

noun

1. unfriendly or hostile relations; enmity; hostility; animosity.

   When the territory was being settled there was bad blood between the farmers and the ranchers.

bad blood

noun

1. a feeling of intense hatred or hostility; enmity

Word History and Origins

Origin of bad blood¹

First recorded in 1815–25

Idioms and Phrases

Anger or hostility between persons or groups, as in There's been bad blood between the two families for years. This term is based on the old association with blood and emotion, particularly anger. Versions such as ill blood preceded it; Charles Lamb was among the first to use the idiom in its current form in an 1823 essay.

Example Sentences

“These things gotta happen every five years or so, ten years. Helps to get rid of the bad blood…been ten years since the last one.”

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The game ended in a 1-1 draw but the incident just added to the bad blood between the sides going into the next three games.

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"There's a lot of bad blood," he said.

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Both singers have said there’s no bad blood.

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Shutdowns are a repeat feature of US politics - but this one feels particularly bitter due to political dynamics and bad blood between the two parties.

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Related Words

• acrimony 
• animosity 
• animus 
• antagonism 
• bitterness 
• distrust 
• enmity 
• hatred 
• hostility 
• ill will 
• nastiness www.thesaurus.com
• rancor 
• resentment