draw first blood

(redirected from drawn first blood)

draw first blood

To be the first to gain an advantage or score against an opponent. I drew first blood in the tournament and quickly dispatched my opponent.
See also: blood, draw, first
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2022 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

draw first blood

JOURNALISM
If someone draws first blood in a game or conflict, they are the first to score or succeed. The Scots drew first blood with a drop goal from Gregor Townsend. Note: You can also say first blood to someone. Then came the John Hopoate mistake that ensured first blood to England.
See also: blood, draw, first
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed. © HarperCollins Publishers 2012
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References in periodicals archive ?
The visitors had drawn first blood when Aboubakar Kamara found the net in the 13th minute.
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Ruthin pulled away from the league's drop zone by beating Buckley 3-1, although the away side had drawn first blood with a James McIntosh goal.
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The visitors should have drawn first blood when winger Brian Cash, on-loan from Nottingham Forest, whipped in a cross which Paul Tait headed wide when it seemed easier to score.
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But Holyhead had drawn first blood when Robin Hodgkinson fired them ahead.
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Bedford had drawn first blood with a 35-metre penalty from Jon Pritchard before Leslie stamped his authority by claiming the opening touchdown.
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Nicholls may have drawn first blood as the trainers' battle moved to the home of the Grand National but reigning champion Martin Pipe hit back strongly with a double courtesy of Hors La Loi III and Royal Predica.
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But Scarborough, who had drawn first blood with Gary Bennett's header from a corner, fought back for a fine win.
LOAN STAR BREBNER'S A HIT
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