first blood
Britishnoun
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the first killing or wounding in a fight or war
-
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
Pegula swung the momentum her way and drew first blood in the final set, opening up a 4-1 gap with an inch-perfect lob.
From Barron's • Feb. 20, 2026
Earlier, the Dodgers drew first blood on Halloween night as Tommy Edman doubled, Shohei Ohtani was intentionally walked, and Smith's double to left field sent Edman home.
From BBC • Oct. 31, 2025
However, all of those series started in Edmonton; this time the Kings drew first blood at home, where they won a franchise-record 31 times during the regular season.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 22, 2025
Beyond his tree, as he slept, the first blood light of dawn was rising up the sky.
From "The Killer Angels: The Classic Novel of the Civil War" by Michael Shaara
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.
