blood-sucker
Definition
- Noun:
- A leech or other animal that sucks blood: "blood-sucker" refers to an organism, such as a leech or mosquito, that feeds by extracting blood from a host.
- An exploitative person (figurative): In a metaphorical sense, "blood-sucker" describes a person who takes advantage of others, especially financially or emotionally, draining their resources or energy.
Usage Examples
- Literal:
- The swamp was full of blood-suckers, so we avoided wading through it. (Leeches or other blood-feeding creatures.)
- Figurative:
- The landlord was a real blood-sucker, raising the rent every month without making any repairs. (An exploitative person who takes money unfairly.)
Advanced Usage
- "blood-sucker" as a term of strong disapproval: Used to criticize someone perceived as parasitic or greedy.
- He called his business partner a blood-sucker after discovering the hidden fees. (A harsh accusation of exploitation.)
Variants and Related Words
- Blood-sucking (adj): having the ability or tendency to suck blood.
- The blood-sucking mosquito left a painful welt. (Describing an insect that feeds on blood.)
- Bloodsucker (n): an alternative spelling of "blood-sucker", used interchangeably.
- The vampire bat is a nocturnal bloodsucker. (A creature that feeds on blood.)
Synonyms
- Parasite: an organism or person that lives off another, often to their detriment.
- Leech: a blood-sucking worm; also used figuratively for a person who clings to others for support or gain.
- Vampire: a mythical creature that sucks blood; figuratively, a person who exploits others.
Related Idioms
- Suck someone dry: to take everything from someone, leaving them with nothing.
- The con artist sucked his victims dry, leaving them bankrupt. (Drained all resources or money.)
- Bleed someone dry: to extract money or resources from someone until they have nothing left.
- The high taxes bled the small business dry. (Exhausted financial resources.)