Back again with a new Spreekwoorden en Uitdrukkingen! Today, we will talk about blood. Because there are also sayings and expressions that include blood – they might not mean what you may think they mean, though!

For other sayings and expressions in this series, click here.

Het bloed kruipt waar het niet gaan kan

The blood creeps where it cannot go

Literally, this means that blood will find a way to flow, even if it is initially barred. As an expression, it has different meanings.

First of all, it can mean that somebody can try to hide their real aard (character), but in the end it will show from various who they really are. In other words: iemands echte karakter verloochent zich niet (somebody’s real character doesn’t betray itself). The blood, meaning the aard, comes out regardless. It still creeps where it cannot flow freely.

Secondly, it can mean that an old preference or love never really goes away and is pursued anyways, sometimes only after many years.

A third meaning refers to strong family ties, in a similar way as blood is thicker than water. Loyalty is central – family ties don’t betray each other.

In all of these meanings, blood has the meaning of character, of nature.

The expression was mentioned already in 1726 by Carolus Tuinman. However, he used it with a different meaning – that somebody wants to achieve something no matter what. That meaning got lost, though.

Use

Using the expression is pretty straightforward.

Nadat Ingrid tien jaar lang niets van Hans had gehoord, zagen ze zich weer. Het was net als toen op school, en Ingrid had nog steeds dezelfde gevoelens! Bloed kruipt waar het niet gaan kan.

After Ingrid had not heard from Hans for ten years, they saw each other again. It was just like at school, and Ingrid still had the same feelings! Blood creeps where it cannot go.

 

Toen Karel het bedrijf van zijn vader kon verkopen voor veel geld, deed hij het toch niet. Het bedrijf betekende te veel voor hem. Bloed kruipt waar het niet gaan kan.

When Karel could sell the company of his father for a lot of money, he nevertheless didn’t do it. The company meant too much to him. Blood creeps where it cannot go.

 

On to the expression!

Iemands bloed kunnen drinken

To be able to drink somebody’s blood

This expression refers to disliking somebody that much, that you could drink that person’s blood. You do everything to hinder that person. Pretty scary, right?

Use

Mark is zo boos op Kelly omdat ze tegen hem heeft gelogen, hij kan haar bloed wel drinken.

Mark is so angry at Kelly because she lied to him, he can drink her blood.

I hope you enjoyed this post! Do you know these expressions in your country? What do you say in situations like this? Let me know in the comments below!