fresh blood

Meanings

1. 1phraseuncountable

   new people brought into a group or organization to bring new ideas and energy.

   Grammar: Uncountable: no plural and no article — say 'bring in fresh blood', not 'a fresh blood'.

   Patterns

   • need fresh blood
   • bring in fresh blood
   • a injection of fresh blood

   The company has been losing customers, so the board wants to bring in fresh blood.

   After ten years with the same players, the team badly needs fresh blood.

   The new manager was hired to provide some fresh blood in the marketing department.

2. 2phraseuncountable

   blood that has just been shed or taken from a body, especially in a medical or fictional context.

   Grammar: Literal use; often found in hospital or horror settings.

   Patterns

   • fresh blood on something
   • smell fresh blood

   The nurse put on gloves before cleaning the fresh blood from the wound.

   In the film, the vampire could sense fresh blood from far away.

Common combinations

need fresh blood

The department needs fresh blood if it is going to innovate.

bring in fresh blood

They decided to bring in fresh blood from outside the company.

injection of fresh blood

The new coach provided an injection of fresh blood into the squad.

a lack of fresh blood

The club's decline was blamed on a lack of fresh blood.

Synonyms and how they differ

newcomers

This simply means people who have recently arrived; 'fresh blood' adds the idea of bringing new energy or ideas.

new talent

This focuses on skill and ability, while 'fresh blood' emphasizes newness and renewal.

Opposites

Commonly confused: fresh blood or new blood?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “fresh blood”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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