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UKblood on one's hands
/blˈʌd ˌɒn wˈɒnz hˈandz/
/blˈʌd ˌɑːn wˈʌnz hˈændz/blood on one's hands
[PHRASE]
What is the origin of the idiom "blood on one's hands" and when to use it?
The idiom "blood on one's hands" has roots in biblical references, such as the story of Cain and Abel, and has been further popularized through its usage in literary works like Shakespeare's Macbeth. It is commonly employed in discussions about war crimes, acts of violence, or situations where individuals or groups are seen as directly responsible for the loss of lives or inflicting pain.
Examples
1. Thinking like a Kantian, Williams argues that it’s not Jim’s fault that the head soldier is a total dirt bag, and Jim shouldn’t have to get literal blood on his hands to try and rectify the situation.
2. Hands off can actually mean blood on your hands.
3. It's like that scene in Macbeth, where Lady Macbeth has the blood on her hands and she's like, "Ahh it's everywhere!"
4. France, England, and Belgium all certainly had blood on their hands.
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