ill blood

Definition
  1. Noun:
    • Hostility or resentment: "ill blood" refers to a state of deep-seated anger, animosity, or unfriendly feelings between people, often resulting from past conflicts or disagreements.
Usage Examples
  • (Hostility arose from a family conflict.)
  • (A lack of lasting resentment despite a disagreement.)
Advanced Usage

  • "to breed ill blood": to cause or generate hostility.

    • His harsh criticism bred ill blood among the team members. (His words created lasting resentment.)

  • "to stir up ill blood": to provoke or intensify existing animosity.

    • The politician's comments stirred up ill blood between the communities. (He worsened existing tensions.)
Variants and Related Words

  • Ill will (n): a similar term meaning hostile or unfriendly feelings.

    • She bore no ill will towards her former rival. (She felt no lasting resentment.)

  • Bad blood (n): another synonym, often used interchangeably with "ill blood."

    • There has been bad blood between the two families for generations. (Long-standing hostility.)
Synonyms
  • Animosity: strong hostility or active dislike.
  • Resentment: bitter indignation at unfair treatment.
  • Enmity: a state of mutual hatred or hostility.
Related Idioms

  • "to have no ill blood": to have no lingering resentment.

    • Despite the argument, I have no ill blood toward him. (I hold no grudge.)

  • "to let ill blood fester": to allow hostility to grow unresolved.

    • They let their ill blood fester for years, never speaking. (They allowed resentment to worsen.)