Meaning & use
it's in the blood
Last updated
Meanings
phrasefixed phraseinformal
Used to say that a quality, skill, or interest is natural to someone because it is shared by their family.
Grammar: Often used as 'it's in the blood' or 'something is in someone's blood'. The subject can be a thing or a person.
Patterns
- it's in the blood
- something is in someone's blood
- be in the blood
Both her parents were doctors, so medicine is in the blood.
He grew up on a farm; farming is in his blood.
She says singing is in the blood because her grandmother was a famous singer.
phrasefixed phraseinformal
Used to say that a strong feeling or desire is deep and natural for someone.
Grammar: Often used with 'racing', 'competition', or similar words: 'racing is in his blood'.
Patterns
- something is in someone's blood
- it's in the blood
Competition is in her blood; she can't resist a challenge.
The love of the sea was in his blood from childhood.
Common combinations
- music is in the blood
- For that family, music is in the blood.
- in someone's blood
- Teaching seems to be in her blood.
- run in the blood
- A talent for cooking runs in the blood in their family.
Synonyms and how they differ
- run in the family
- This phrase is used for qualities or traits shared by family members; 'it's in the blood' is more dramatic and often about strong passions or talents.
- second nature
- If something is second nature, it is automatic for one person; 'in the blood' emphasizes family inheritance.
Commonly confused: it's in the blood or in cold blood?
it's in the blood vs in cold blood
'In cold blood' means in a calm, unemotional way, often about a cruel act. 'It's in the blood' means it is natural or inherited.
Practice
Complete the sentence: 'Her father was a painter and her mother a sculptor, so art is ___ blood.'
Choose one answer.
The fixed phrase is 'in the blood'. The other prepositions do not form this idiom.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “it's in the blood”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.