flesh and blood

noun

1. offspring or relatives.

   one's own flesh and blood.

2. the human body or nature.

   more than flesh and blood can endure.

Word History and Origins

Origin of flesh and blood¹

First recorded in 1200–50

Idioms and Phrases

Human beings, especially with respect to their failings or weaknesses. For example, I can't do everything—I'm only flesh and blood . [c. 1600]

one's own flesh and blood . One's blood relatives, kin, as in She can't cut her own flesh and blood out of her will . [c. 1300]

Example Sentences

Often, it's the first time a medical student works with real flesh and blood - an experience that can't be replicated from a textbook.

From BBC

Behind the headlines and beyond the numbers, flesh and blood people are cut off from basic necessities, including food, clean water, and medical care.

From Salon

But would an American art museum ever do a show on the theme of, say, “Transubstantiation: Catholic Art Across Europe and the United States,” in order to teach the diverse subtleties and dynastic refinements of a belief in the conversion of bread and wine into flesh and blood?

From Los Angeles Times

"We want to get her to a safe shore. I want to make sure she is safe and cured. She's my daughter, my own flesh and blood. And I'm so deeply worried about her."

From BBC

“To have had the opportunity to come back and to really play, discover, and put flesh and blood and sinew and heartbeat into this woman, to really fill her out,” O’Reilly says.

From Los Angeles Times