unbowed

bloodied but unbowed

Still willing to continue despite stress or setbacks. The troops emerged from the brutal battle bloodied but unbowed. We were bloodied but unbowed after the board rejected our first proposal—we just resolved to make a better pitch next time.
See also: bloody, but, unbowed

bloody but unbowed

Still willing to continue despite stress or setbacks. The troops emerged from the brutal battle bloody but unbowed. We were bloody but unbowed after the board rejected our first proposal—we just resolved to make a better pitch next time.
See also: bloody, but, unbowed
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

bloody but unbowed

Fig. showing signs of a struggle, but not defeated. (Originally referring to the head. From the poem Invictus by William Earnest Henley.) Liz emerged from the struggle, her head bloody but unbowed. We are bloody but unbowed and will fight to the last.
See also: bloody, but, unbowed
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.

bloodied but unbowed

LITERARY
If a person or organization is bloodied but unbowed, they have had a bad experience, but they have not been defeated or destroyed and are determined to continue with something. He is bloodied but unbowed after his very narrow election victory. The group was bloodied but unbowed, selling off its non-tobacco businesses to keep big shareholders happy. Note: Adjectives such as battered, bloody and defeated can be used instead of bloodied. The construction giant has emerged from the recession battered but unbowed. Note: Unbowed means standing upright without showing fear or pain.
See also: bloody, but, unbowed
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed.

bloody (or bloodied) but unbowed

proud of what you have achieved despite having suffered great difficulties or losses.
See also: bloody, but, unbowed
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

bloody but unbowed

Wounded or scarred, but not defeated. The term, expressing fierce defiance, comes from the Victorian poet William Ernest Henley’s most famous work, “Invictus:” “Under the bludgeonings of chance my head is bloody, but unbowed.”
See also: bloody, but, unbowed
The Dictionary of Clichés by Christine Ammer
See also:
  • bloodied but unbowed
  • bloody but unbowed
  • take a licking and keep on ticking
  • take a licking but keep on ticking
  • tickin
  • press onward
  • be still in the game
  • thick and thin
  • through thick and thin
  • keep at it
References in periodicals archive
'Bao' The Unbowed Carabao, is a bold celebration of creativity reflecting unique cultural heritage.
'Bao' The Unbowed Carabao
Greg Abbott published his first book, "Broken But Unbowed," which recounted his life story and advanced his push for a convention to amend the U.S.
Texas Again Ponders Calling for Convention of States
Yet these critical comments should not obscure the fact that The Eagle Unbowed is a major achievement and explains many historical events misunderstood by Western readers.
The Eagle Unbowed. Poland and the Poles in the Second World War
Halik Kochanski's The Eagle Unbowed is thus a welcome and useful corrective for both scholars and general readers.
The Eagle Unbowed: Poland and the Poles in the Second World War
| BLOODIED BUT UNBOWED: Town centre-back Anthony Gerrard suffered a slight concussion and had four stitches in an eye wound but carried on with his head bandaged in the 0-0 draw against Doncaster Rovers Picture by Andrew Catchpool
LET'S PEP IT UP; I'll pick those who go and perform in matches and in training
However, while Kinnear's installation as director of football undermined him in the eyes of many, Pardew remains unbowed in his determination to turn things around.
Pardew had no intention of quitting
He does however remain unbowed," the spokesman added.
London Mayor left dangling on zip wire 'like odd Xmas decoration' during Olympic event
TEAM BESIKTAS STOKE 31 STOKE boss Tony Pulis was beaten but unbowed after seeing his side lose their unbeaten record in the Europa League and finish in second place in Group E.
Pulis defiant after Stoke lose record
The Steelbacks suffered their first loss this summer in all formats in their first T20 outing against Leicestershire but bounced back with victory over previously unbowed Warwickshire on Sunday.
Steelbacks set to shine; CRICKET
Unbowed, Mrs Duffy asked the Deputy Prime Minister to "look me in the eye and tell me" he was happy with the current Government cuts.
'Bigoted woman' corners Nick Clegg
Unbowed, Mrs Duffy said: "Can you honestly tell me now, look me in the eye, and say that you are quite happy about all those policies that have gone wrong for you and your party?" Mr Clegg said the coalition was now taking the blame for the "difficult decisions" on cuts needed to balance the books.
Brown's nemesis turns fire on Clegg
This one-off documentary follows the story which enthralled the world, from the efforts of the drilling teams trying to cut through the mud and rock to reach the men, the psychologists and doctors who treated them, and, of course, the miners themselves, whose strength of character and collective spirit saw them emerge from 70 days underground, unbowed and undefeated.
Deep impact
The popular uproar over Brown's unbowed head and Mrs Janes' screech at the Prime Minister reinforces my belief that our honouring the dead has been hijacked by factions which have other axes to grind.
Brown sniped at with shabby little outburst
In line with Frieze Art Fair's focus on today's most exciting contemporary art, "Iran Unbowed" will present contemporary artists from one of the world's most vibrant young art scenes.
frieze frame at hyatt regency london -- the churchill
Yet he departs unbowed, still a Churchill in his own mind.
Bush's broken record