black and blue
Bruised, either physically or emotionally. I'm probably going to be black and blue after falling down the steps this morning. It's normal to feel black and blue right after you break up with someone. A: "Why is your leg all black and blue?" B: "Ugh, I got hit with a pitch last night."
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.
black-and-blue
Fig. bruised, physically or emotionally. I'm still black-and-blue from my divorce. What is that black-and-blue mark on your leg?
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
black and blue
Badly bruised, as in That fall down the stairs left me black and blue all over. Even though multicolored bruises rarely include the color black, this term has been so used since about 1300.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer. Copyright © 2003, 1997 by The Christine Ammer 1992 Trust. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
black and blue
COMMON If a part of your body is black and blue, it is badly bruised. I didn't realise how clumsy I am. I was black and blue for three months. I was released from hospital the next day with minor head and neck injuries. My face was black and blue. Note: You can also say that someone beats someone black and blue, meaning that they hit them repeatedly until they are badly bruised. They pulled my hair out and beat me black and blue.
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed. © HarperCollins Publishers 2012
black and blue
covered in bruises, (as if) from a severe beating.Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017
black and ˈblue
covered with bruises (= blue, brown or purple marks on the body): She was black and blue all over after falling down stairs.Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017
black and blue
mod. bruised, physically or emotionally. I’m still black and blue from my divorce.
McGraw-Hill's Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions Copyright © 2006 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.