English Idioms
Comprehensive resource for understanding and mastering English idioms
Blue blood
Meaning
"Blue blood" is an idiom that refers to people of high social or financial standing. It may also refer to those who have a privileged lifestyle, such as royalty or the wealthy elite.
Usage
- "She comes from a family of blue bloods and has always been accustomed to living in luxury."
- "The board members of the company were all blue bloods, with a net worth of over $10 million each."
- "The royal family is known as the blue bloods of England."
- "Many of the wealthy people in the city live in mansions and have servants to cater to their every whim."
- "The CEO was a self-made man, but he was always surrounded by blue bloods who looked down on him."
Roots and History
The term "blue blood" dates back to medieval times when the aristocracy wore clothing made from wool that was dyed blue with indigo or lapis lazuli. This gave them a distinctive appearance, which allowed them to be easily identified from the rest of society. The phrase may also have originated from the fact that the nobility were often associated with the color blue in heraldry and coat of arms. Over time, the term has come to refer to anyone who is perceived as belonging to the upper class or having a high social standing.
Synonyms in English
- High Society
- Elite
- Aristocracy
- Upper Class
- Wealthy
Synonyms in other languages
- La classe supérieure (French) - This idiom translates to "the upper class" and refers to people of high social status in France.
- Die Hochgesellschaft (German) - This idiom translates to "high society" and refers to the wealthy elite in Germany.
- La haute société (French, Italian) - These idioms translate to "high society" and refer to people of high social standing in both France and Italy.
- Die Gesellschaft der Wohlhabenden (German) - This idiom translates to "the society of the wealthy" and refers to people who are financially well-off in Germany.
- La noblesse (French) - This idiom translates to "nobility" and refers to the highest level of the aristocracy in France.