drɔ fɜrst blʌd
Sports
neutral
intermediate
- Literally:
- To be the first to cause bleeding in a fight
What does "draw first blood" mean?
- To gain the first advantage in a competition or conflict
- To score the first success against an opponent
Examples
- Our team drew first blood with an early goal.
- The prosecutor drew first blood with a damaging opening statement.
- In the debate, she drew first blood with a sharp criticism.
Origin
From combat and boxing, where drawing first blood (causing the opponent to bleed) indicated gaining the initial advantage. Extended to any competitive situation.
How to use it
Common in sports, legal, and competitive business contexts. Implies psychological advantage from early success.
Similar expressions
gain first advantage
strike first
take early lead
Opposites
fall behind
lose early
Related idioms
- no pain no gain
Success requires hard work and sacrifice
- ball is in your court
It's your turn to take action or make a decision
- like riding a bicycle
A skill that, once learned, is never forgotten
- drop the ball
To fail to do something important; to make a mistake
- level playing field
A situation where everyone has an equal opportunity
- on the ball
Alert and competent
Use it in a practice answer
Try "draw first blood" in a CELPIP-style Speaking or Writing task. The AI feedback tells you whether your word choice worked.