flesh-and-blood
UK[ˌfleʃ ən ˈblʌd]US[ˌfleʃ ən ˈblʌd]
adj
consisting of flesh and blood; real and living, not imaginary or spiritual
n
a real living human being, especially one with human weaknesses and emotions
Etymology
the phrase "flesh and blood" originates from old english, where its components were common words for bodily substance and vital fluid. its literal meaning, referring to the physical constituents of a living body, is ancient and shared across germanic languages. by the late middle english period, it began to be used figuratively to emphasize tangible, mortal reality, contrasting with abstract concepts, spirits, or idealized forms. this evolution from a literal biological description to a metaphor for genuine humanity—with all its corporeal and emotional frailties—highlights how fundamental physical experiences shape abstract language.
Analysis
this compound phrase is composed of three distinct words: 'flesh' (from old english flǣsc, meaning "meat, muscular tissue"), 'and' (a conjunction from old english and, ond), and 'blood' (from old english blōd, meaning "blood, life force"). it functions as a fixed idiomatic unit.
Examples
after years of writing to a pen pal, meeting her in flesh-and-blood was a remarkable experience.
the characters in the novel are not just ideas; they are portrayed as complex flesh-and-blood individuals.
as a manager, you must remember that your employees are flesh-and-blood people, not just resources.