black and blue

The phrase "black and blue" is often used to describe physical bruising resulting from injury or violence, as well as strong emotional distress.

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Definition

B2Physical Injury

(colloquial)Having visible bruises on the skin, usually from being hit or falling.

Example

  • After the fall, his leg was black and blue.

C1Emotional State

(figurative, colloquial)Extremely angry or upset.

Example

  • She was black and blue after hearing the news.

Similar

Terms that have similar or relatively close meanings to "black and blue":

black and whitedark bluebaby bluedeep bluesteel bluemidnight blueice bluein black and whitehalf bluesmall blueblack and tanblack upchina bluenavy bluefull bluebody in blackthin blue lineblack goldblues and twosberry bluesky-blue pinkroyal bluecode blacklight blueblack outblue liefade to black