Flesh and blood
Meaning
One's own family or close relatives, or the physical human body and nature.
Origin
The phrase 'flesh and blood' echoes from the earliest human stories, solidifying its place in the lexicon through its prominent use in ancient biblical texts. It first served to distinguish mortal, physical beings—humanity—from the divine, spiritual realm. In the New Testament, Jesus famously tells Peter that his revelation did not come from 'flesh and blood' but from God, underlining the limits of human understanding. Yet, this vivid pairing of essential components—flesh for the body, blood for life and lineage—also became the ultimate expression of kinship. It eloquently describes the unbreakable bond within a family, marking those who share our very essence and origin, a connection deeper than any other.
Examples
- I can't just abandon him; he's my own flesh and blood.
- It's hard to believe someone could betray their own flesh and blood like that.