flesh and blood

offspring or relatives: one's own flesh and blood.

the human body or nature: more than flesh and blood can endure.

Nearby words

Middle English word dating back to 1200–50

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

That even in 2014—the era of EDM and “selfie pop”—a small, live, flesh-and-blood band could still be (and have) so much fun.
Beck’s Musical Time Machine: This Wasn’t a Concert. It was a Spectacular Party.|Andrew Romano|April 18, 2014|DAILY BEAST
However, she soon discovers that Linda is a mentally unstable woman who believes a baby doll is a flesh-and-blood child.
Jessica Biel on ‘The Truth About Emanuel,’ Motherhood, Justin Timberlake, and More|Marlow Stern|January 7, 2014|DAILY BEAST
It's also a lot easier to find another job if you have flesh-and-blood friends in the industry.
Ask the Blogger|Megan McArdle|November 26, 2012|DAILY BEAST
By excluding business income taxes, our picture is more narrowly focused on flesh-and-blood people.
The 'Maker' States: More Taxed, More Pro-Obama|Alex Klein|September 21, 2012|DAILY BEAST

His challenge to use this week to cast the race as between two flesh-and-blood men, not the apparition of 2008.
Democratic Convention Dilemma: Obama 2012 vs. Obama 2008|Howard Kurtz|September 4, 2012|DAILY BEAST
It's a flesh-and-blood tie, a permanent junction, an isthmus, what?
The Tremendous Event|Maurice Leblanc
Meanwhile her flesh-and-blood child had to fight her battles with the landlord and tradesmen.
The Girls of Central High on the Stage|Gertrude W. Morrison
The flesh-and-blood body of man has not changed in the last several thousand years.
Revolution and Other Essays|Jack London
And still the flesh-and-blood Aaron sat with his arm over the side.
Aaron's Rod|D. H. Lawrence
All this being so, it may be thought that I have underestimated the flesh-and-blood qualities in Mr. Conrad's work.
Old and New Masters|Robert Lynd

Human beings, especially with respect to their failings or weaknesses. For example, I can't do everything—I'm only flesh and blood. [c. 1600]

one's own flesh and blood. One's blood relatives, kin, as in She can't cut her own flesh and blood out of her will. [c. 1300]