make one's blood boil

Although the meanings of the words in them do not make any sense when examined one by one, the word groups that are shaped according to the cultural roots of the language and that make sense as a whole are called idioms. make one's blood boil meaning, in what situations is it used?

Meaning of "make one's blood boil"

Meaning

The idiom ‘make one’s blood boil’ is used to express an extreme level of anger or frustration, usually in response to something that someone finds unjust or unbearable. It is a figure of speech suggesting this emotion is so strong that it is enough to make one's blood, which usually runs at a consistent temperature, reach boiling point.

Etymology

The phrase ‘make one's blood boil’ is thought to have originated in the Middle Ages, when this expression – and similar ones such as ‘blood is boiling’ or ‘blood is on the boil’ – were used to describe an extremely angry mood. The term ‘blood’ is used metaphorically, often in relation to a person’s temperament, to represent their feelings and passions. The image of boiling water is also ancient and used in many contexts to describe a state of immense anger.

Usage

The phrase is often found in popular culture, used in books, films, television shows and music. It is used to convey the idea that a person is so angry that their blood is boiling. It is often used in the context of something personal or political that has been done that is seen as wrong or unjust, which causes this extreme emotion. For example, when a character in a book has been wronged, the narrator may say ‘His blood boiled with rage’.

The phrase is also commonly used in informal conversations as a way of expressing intense emotions. It is usually used to describe feelings of anger, but in some cases, it can also be used to describe feelings of excitement or passion. For example, an excited person might say ‘My blood is boiling!’ when speaking about something they are looking forward to.

Example Sentences

• The injustice of it all made his blood boil.
• When he heard the news, his blood boiled with rage.
• The excitement made her blood boil.
• Her blood was boiling with indignation at the unfairness of it all.

The universal role of idioms

"Kill two birds with one stone" is an English idiom that means to accomplish two things with a single action. In French, the similar idiom is "Faire d'une pierre deux coups," which translates to "To kill two birds with one stone." This idiom highlights the efficiency of completing two tasks with one action.