PhrasesHub

Blue blood

    Definitions

      • noble or aristocratic lineage
        To describe someone who comes from a prestigious, wealthy or royal family background

      • pure, uncontaminated blood
        To describe someone who has a strong, pure lineage without any mixed or foreign ancestry

    Examples of Blue blood

    • The royal family has been known as a group of people with blue blood, as they have lived a life of luxury and privilege from birth.

      This idiom originated during the medieval times, when people believed that the nobility had bluish-purple blood due to the richness of their diet. The phrase blue blood is now commonly used metaphorically to describe wealthy and aristocratic families who have had privilege for many generations.

    • She comes from a long line of blue-blooded ancestors who have devoted their lives to serving the country.

      Blue blood is represented here to indicate the ancient lineage and high stature of a person’s family. This person grew up with an entrenched sense of duty and service to the country, inheriting it from her ancestors, who equally served the country.

    • His blue blood status has made it easy for him to network with high-ranking government officials and businessmen.

      This example uses blue blood to imply that the person's aristocratic and wealthy background has facilitated his efforts to build an extensive contact network.

    • She is a misfit in that blue-blooded world, with her common upbringing and meagre resources.

      Here, blue blood is used to contrast the chasm between two social classes. One is rich, aristocratic, and privileged, and the other is poor and unprivileged. The person being referred to in the example is someone who grew up outside of that elite circle, through her impoverished and ordinary upbringing.

    • She is a true blue blood. Her ancestors were all aristocrats and she has been raised with all the privileges that come with that birthright.

      Blue blood is a metaphor for people who come from rich and noble families. The phrase originated in medieval times, when it was thought that the veins of those born into aristocratic families ran with a bluish tint because they ate a diet rich in meat.

    • The wealthy elite are all blue bloods, born with a silver spoon in their mouths and never knowing want.

      Here, blue blood is used to describe an entire social class that is dominant and privileged, just as aristocratic families were once the dominant class in many societies.

    • He may not have been born with a silver spoon in his mouth, but he's worked hard to rise above his lowly origins and become a member of high society.

      In this example, blue blood is not used literally, but figuratively. It is a metaphor for the privileges that come with wealth and social standing.

    • The old aristocracy may be fading, but blue blood will never entirely disappear from the fabric of society.

      This example shows how blue blood has become a deeply ingrained part of the cultural fabric, even as class systems have become less rigid. It also suggests that there will always be a place for those who can trace their lineage back to the aristocracy, regardless of whether they actually enjoy the privileges that used to be associated with that label.


    Conclusion

    The idiom "blue blood" is commonly used to refer to someone who comes from a high-class or royal family. It suggests a sense of nobility and prestige, often associated with wealth and privilege. It can also refer to someone who is of pure and uncontaminated blood, without any mixed or foreign ancestry.

    In both cases, the intention behind the idiom is to highlight the elevated status of the person being described. It can be used to emphasize the social class or perceived superiority of an individual. It may also be used as a form of flattery or admiration towards someone's lineage.

    Origin of "Blue blood"

    The origin of the idiom "blue blood" can be traced back to medieval Europe, particularly in Spain. During this time, the noble families of Spain were known for their fair skin, which allowed the blue veins in their arms to be more visible. This was seen as a sign of their pure and royal lineage.

    Over time, the term "blue blood" became associated with nobility and aristocracy in other European countries as well. It was believed that those with blue blood were of a higher social class and had a more prestigious background than those with common ancestry.

    Today, the idiom is still used in a similar context, although it has become more of a figurative expression rather than a literal one. It is often used to describe someone who is of a higher social status or has a prestigious background, regardless of their actual bloodline.