bleed (someone) white
bleed (someone) white
To take all of the money that another person has, often through blackmail. The maid bled her famous employer white until he could no longer pay her the hush money.
See also: bleed, white
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
bleed someone white
and bleed someone dryto take all of someone's money; to extort money from someone. The creeps tried to bleed me white. Richard got a picture of Fred and Joan together and tried to bleed both of them dry by threatening to show it to their spouses.
See also: bleed, white
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.
bleed someone white
Extort money, take someone's last penny. For example, That contractor would have bled the department white, but fortunately he was apprehended in time . Presumably this term alludes to losing so much blood that one turns pale (and perhaps also to the idea that money is the life blood of commerce). [First half of 1900s]
See also: bleed, someone, white
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
bleed somebody ˈdry/ˈwhite
(disapproving) take away all somebody’s money: He used to be quite wealthy, but his children have bled him dry.See also: bleed, dry, somebody, white
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
bleed someone white
and bleed someone dry tv. to take all of someone’s money; to extort money from someone. (see also bleed.) The creeps tried to bleed me white. These taxes are going to bleed me dry!
See also: bleed, someone, white
McGraw-Hill's Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions
- bleed white
- bleed someone white
- coerce
- coerce (one) into (something)
- coerce into
- hush fell over
- a hush fell over
- hush-hush
- bleed someone white, to
- hush money