To cause bad blood

Definitions

• to create hostility or animosity between people or groups
  Describe actions or behavior that leads to resentment, anger, or ill will between individuals or organizations

Examples of To cause bad blood

• Jane's constant criticism of Tom's work has caused bad blood between them.

  Jane's negative comments towards Tom's work have created tension and strained their relationship.

• The rivalry between the two football teams has caused bad blood between their fans.

  The intense competition and animosity between the two football teams has led to conflict and strained relationships between their supporters.

• Lisa's refusal to apologize for her mistake has caused bad blood between her and her coworkers.

  Lisa's unwillingness to take responsibility for her actions has resulted in resentment and tension between her and her colleagues.

• John's accusations against Maria's loyalty have caused bad blood between them.

  John's doubts about Maria's trustworthiness have created mistrust and tension in their relationship.

• John's constant criticism of Sarah's work has really caused bad blood between them.

  This example means that John's ongoing criticism of Sarah's work has created a lot of tension and animosity between the two. It's as if their friendship has turned sour because of John's constant negativity.

• The rivalry between the two teams has caused bad blood on and off the field.

  This example suggests that the competitive nature of the rivalry between these two sports teams has led to negative feelings between them that go beyond just the game. It's almost like there's some kind of deep-seated animosity between the two teams.

• The decision to promote Sally over Peter has caused bad blood in the office.

  This example means that the decision to promote Sally instead of Peter has created tension and conflict in the workplace. It's as if Peter now feels like Sally got the promotion unfairly, and this has led to a sense of resentment and animosity towards Sally.

• The politicians' continued bickering and mud-slinging have caused bad blood between the parties.

  This example suggests that the continuous negative campaigning and criticism between the opposing political parties has led to a lot of tension and animosity between them. It's almost like they can't help but rub each other the wrong way.

Conclusion

The idiom "to cause bad blood" is used to describe situations or actions that result in the development of negative feelings or hostility between people or groups. It is typically used to convey the idea of creating animosity or resentment, leading to a strained relationship or conflict.

This idiom is often used in a figurative sense to describe the negative consequences of certain actions or behaviors. It can be used to warn against engaging in actions that may lead to strained relationships or conflicts, and to highlight the importance of maintaining positive and harmonious interactions with others.

Origin of "To cause bad blood"

The origin of the idiom "to cause bad blood" can be traced back to the ancient belief that certain illnesses and diseases were caused by an imbalance or impurity of the blood. In this context, "bad blood" referred to a state of ill health or discord within the body.

Over time, the idiom evolved to be used in a metaphorical sense to describe the development of negative feelings or hostility between individuals or groups. It became a popular expression to convey the idea of actions or behaviors that result in strained relationships or conflicts. The idiom has since been widely used in the English language to warn against the negative consequences of creating animosity or resentment.