first blood
Britishnoun
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the first killing or wounding in a fight or war
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the first damage or reverse inflicted on an opponent in a conflict
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The findings suggest that early animals created the first blood cells by reusing genetic material inherited from ancient single-celled ancestors.
From Science Daily ● May 27, 2026
Not even a home run from Japanese superstar Shohei Ohtani could spare the defending champions' blushes as their American League opponents drew first blood in the best-of-seven series.
From BBC ● Oct. 25, 2025
Yesavage, 22, was named on Thursday to start game one as the Blue Jays look to draw first blood against the defending Major League Baseball champions in the best-of-seven series.
From Barron's ● Oct. 23, 2025
Not long after the Chilean film “The Settlers” opens — after the first shot has been fired and the first blood spilled — an aristocratic-looking horseman rides up to some workers on a grassy plain.
From New York Times ● Jan. 11, 2024
So that was it: Masvita’s first blood had shown, and she was going to stay with her father’s sister to be instructed in the secrets of womanhood.
From "A Girl Named Disaster" by Nancy Farmer
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
