draw blood

draw blood

1. To take blood from one, as with a needle in a medical setting. The doctor wants to draw blood to see what my cholesterol levels are. We just need to draw some blood before the surgery.
2. To injure one or oneself to the point of bleeding. That bit of tissue is on my face because I drew blood while shaving this morning. I can't believe that skinny little kid drew blood when he punched the bully in the nose!
3. By extension, to cause one to become very angry or emotional. I'm usually a calm person, but Addison always manages to say something that draws blood.
See also: blood, draw
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

draw blood

 
1. Lit. to hit or bite (a person or an animal) and make a wound that bleeds. The dog chased me and bit me hard, but it didn't draw blood. The boxer landed just one punch and drew blood immediately.
2. Fig. to anger or insult a person. Sally screamed out a terrible insult at Tom. Judging by the look on his face, she really drew blood. Tom started yelling and cursing, trying to insult Sally. He wouldn't be satisfied until he had drawn blood, too.
See also: blood, draw
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.

draw blood

Injure someone physically or emotionally. For example, The bullet skimmed his shoulder and barely drew any blood, or That reviewer really knows how to draw blood. This term alludes to drawing blood for diagnostic purposes.
See also: blood, draw
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
See also:
  • in (one's) blood
  • in blood
  • in one’s blood
  • in one's blood
  • in your blood
  • after (one's) blood
  • after your blood
  • bleed out
  • be after (one's) blood
  • be after/out for somebody's blood
References in classic literature
It must be a condition, too, that I am not to be bound to draw blood with the scourge, and that if any of the lashes happen to he fly-flappers they are to count.
Don Quixote
But his distant moans do not greatly pain me now; rather am I elated to find (as the waters bring him nearer) that this boy is I, for it is something to know that, once upon a time, a woman could draw blood from me as from another.
The Little White Bird
When placed on a table, and though surrounded by people, if a finger was presented, the bold insect would immediately protrude its sucker, make a charge, and if allowed, draw blood. No pain was caused by the wound.
The Voyage of the Beagle
First to draw blood was John, who gallantly climbed into the boat and held Starkey.
The Adventures of Peter Pan
We are drawn up in a line, and we charge; and if we do not strike down those before us, they will begin to draw blood without asking leave, so you have to kill if you do not mean to be killed, and your conscience is quite easy.
The Country Doctor
One device specifically designed to draw blood from peripheral lines attaches to the luer adapter of the VAD.
Phlebotomists taking the lead as change agents
He recalled observing on a pediatric rotation nurses trying to draw blood from a child, who was not comfortable.
Researchers develop automated robotic device for blood testing
US film star Sylvester Stallone has revealed that his muscle-packed combat hero Rambo is getting ready to draw blood again in a fifth sequel next year.
Sylvester Stallone teases Rambo's return for one last mission in 'Rambo V'
Because it is poorly understood, reducing the occurrence of pre-analytic hemolysis of specimens drawn in the healthcare environment is a consistent nemesis that is experienced by healthcare personnel who routinely draw blood, but are not professional laboratory phlebotomists.
Understanding the Causative Issues of Pre-Analytic Hemolysis in the Health Care Setting
The detective became irate when the nurse, following legal and hospital policies, declined to allow him to draw blood from an unconscious patient.
Clash Between Detective and Nurse Over Blood Draw Spurs Changes in Hospital Policies
In the West, Ashura is perhaps most-often noted for self-flaggelation rites in which members of the faith flail their bare backs and draw blood to prove their willingness to sacrifice for the faith.
Ashura
He first attacked his arm with a knife then used the razor when the knife failed to draw blood.
Yob drank pal's blood
The first half hour or so is intriguing but the revelation in the final 10 minutes is such a headscratcher you may actually draw blood.
Poor reception for bonkers sci-fi
Twenty-eight percent of adult venipunctures and 44% of pediatric venipunctures require more than one stick to successfully draw blood.
Velano Vascular Receives FDA Clearance for Blood-Draw Technology