blood and thunder

Etymology

Definitions

1. 1

   Violent action and language, especially of a melodramatic kind, or the representation of…

   Violent action and language, especially of a melodramatic kind, or the representation of this, or an aggressive or bad-tempered physical confrontation, typically in a sporting context.

   • […]she could fancy how Thurston was saying to himself: "But what's the good of this? It's blood and thunder we want. The old feller's getting past his work. He must go."
2. 2

   A work of fiction featuring or characterized by bloodshed and violence

   A work of fiction featuring or characterized by bloodshed and violence; a sensationally violent story, drama, etc.

3. 3

   Both melodramatically violent and aggressive

   Both melodramatically violent and aggressive; characterized by anger, or forthright ideas and expression.

   • blood-and-thunder stories
   • Not Buffalo Bill's! He gave us a jack-o'-lantern scare once upon a time, which I don't believe any of us will ever forget. We had never seen that weird species of pumpkin, and Will embroidered a blood-and-thunder narrative.
   • "Your husband is an American. He should be able to keep you well entertained with blood-and-thunder stories," said he.
4. ›+ 1 more definitionshow fewer

   1. 4

      Expressing anger or exasperation.

      • "Man the capstan! Blood and thunder!—jump!"—was the next command, and the crew sprang for the handspikes.

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