bleed (redirected from bled)

bleed someone white and bleed someone dry

to take all of someone's money; to extort money from someone. The creeps tried to bleed me white. Richard got a picture of Fred and Joan together and tried to bleed both of them dry by threatening to show it to their spouses.

See also: white

bleed for someone

Fig. to feel the emotional pain that someone else is feeling; to sympathize or empathize with someone. I just bled for him when I heard his sad story. We bled for her as she related her recent woes.

bleed from something

for blood to emerge from a wound or other source. He was bleeding from a number of wounds. He bled from his mouth and nose.

bleed to death

to die from the loss of blood. If something isn't done, he will bleed to death. I cut my finger. I hope I don't bleed to death.

See also: death

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your heart bleeds

if your heart bleeds for someone who is in trouble, you feel sadness and sympathy for them

Usage notes: This phrase is often used humorously to mean the opposite.

(often + for ) My heart bleeds for the poor children caught up in the fighting. Brenda can't afford another diamond necklace? My heart bleeds!

See also: heart

bleed somebody dry

to take someone's money until most or all of it has gone Repayments on the new furniture were bleeding me dry.

See also: dry

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your heart bleeds (for somebody)

you feel sadness and sympathy for someone When my little girl cries in the night, my heart bleeds.

See also: heart

bleed somebody/something dry

to use up everything someone or something has available The city is losing money at a rate that eventually will bleed it dry. I'm worried that the medical bills will bleed my parents dry.

Etymology: based on the idea of a person losing so much blood that they die

See also: dry

bleed for somebody/something

to suffer for someone or something My father said that when he was in college he was a hopeless liberal who bled for causes.

Etymology: based on the literal meaning of bleed for someone/something (to be injured or killed while supporting an idea or protecting your country)