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make one's blood boil

meɪk wʌnz blʌd bɔɪl

Body Parts
informal
intermediate
Literally:
To heat someone's blood to boiling point

What does "make one's blood boil" mean?

  1. To make someone extremely angry
  2. To infuriate someone

Examples

  • His arrogance makes my blood boil.
  • The injustice makes everyone's blood boil.
  • Reading about corruption makes my blood boil.

Origin

The ancient belief that anger literally heated the blood. Boiling blood represents the most extreme anger.

How to use it

Describes intense anger, often at injustice or provocation. Very visceral expression.

Similar expressions

infuriate
enrage
make furious
incense

Opposites

calm
soothe
pacify

Related idioms

  • keep an eye on

    To watch or monitor something carefully

  • heart of gold

    A very kind, generous, and caring nature

  • caught red-handed

    Caught in the act of doing something wrong

  • keep your chin up

    To stay positive and not be discouraged

  • wrap your head around something

    To understand something complex

  • all ears

    Listening attentively and eagerly

Use it in a practice answer

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