Definition of: "in one’s blood" with explanation and origin

Updated: 20-10-2026 by Wikilanguages.net
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Definition of: in one’s blood with explanation and origin? Meaning of in one’s blood with examples in English idiom dictionary.

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Definition of: "in one’s blood" with explanation and origin

in one’s blood

in one’s blood

Meaning

  • a natural or inherited characteristic.
  • part of one’s essential nature.
  • inborn talent or skill.
  • A trait that is deeply ingrained in one’s blood and is unlikely to change
  • It is natural for you to do something because your family has done it in the past.
  • This phrase is used to denote that one has a skill or ability in their blood. Hence, one tends to do it naturally. Often, because that skill already exists in their lineage.
  • If the quality of talent is in your blood, it is part of your nature, and other members of your family have it too.

Examples in Sentences

  1. Singing is in Nina’s blood.
  2. All her family members love cooking; it is in their blood.
  3. Painting is in his blood. His great grandparents did it too.
  4. Sailing can get into one’s blood.
  5. Racing is in his blood. During his father’s career, he received numerous medals.
  6. That happy-go-lucky trait is in her blood. She can’t lose.
  7. Playing the piano is in her blood.
  8. A natural talent for drawing was in his blood.
  9. Farming is in my blood.

Origin

The origin of the idiom is not known, but it appears to have been popular during the European industrialization period in Europe. Initially, it proved an inherent skill or acumen to do business or perform a trade.

The Origins of in one’s blood

Blood, Family

English

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English Idioms and phrases

An idiom is a common word or phrase with a figurative, non-literal meaning that is understood culturally and differs from what its composite words' denotations would suggest; i.e. the words together have a meaning that is different from the dictionary definitions of the individual words (although some idioms do retain their literal meanings – see the example "kick the bucket" below). By another definition, an idiom is a speech form or an expression of a given language that is peculiar to itself grammatically or cannot be understood from the individual meanings of its elements.[3] For example, an English speaker would understand the phrase "kick the bucket" to mean "to die" – and also to actually kick a bucket. Furthermore, they would understand when each meaning is being used in context.

To evoke the desired effect in the listener, idioms require a precise replication of the phrase: not even articles can be used interchangeably (e.g. "kick a bucket" only retains the literal meaning of the phrase but not the idiomatic meaning).

Idioms should not be confused with other figures of speech such as metaphors, which evoke an image by use of implicit comparisons (e.g., "the man of steel"); similes, which evoke an image by use of explicit comparisons (e.g., "faster than a speeding bullet"); or hyperbole, which exaggerates an image beyond truthfulness (e.g., "more powerful than a locomotive"). Idioms are also not to be confused with proverbs, which are simple sayings that express a truth based on common sense or practical experience.

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in one’s blood in English: in one’s blood
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