draw first blood
Land opening blow
To draw first blood is to be the first to inflict damage or score against an opponent.
The phrase comes from combat—the first wound that breaks skin—but now applies broadly to competitions, negotiations, or conflicts: The challenger drew first blood with an early knockdown.
It suggests the psychological advantage of striking first, though it doesn't guarantee ultimate victory.
- initiativeSelf-directed action capacity
- come out swingingBegin with aggressive force
- attackAggressive act against another
- sucker punchUnanticipated strike without warning
- combatArmed hostile engagement
wound · bloodshed · duel · battle · advantage · aggression · preemptive · clash · throw down · rivalry · competition · Rambo · victory · warfare · sword · cut · slash · retaliation
draw first bloodretaliate
Respond to injury alike
strike back · counterattack · return fire · fight back · hit back
draw first bloodkeep the peace
Prevent discord or conflict
turn the other cheek · stand down · de-escalate · hold fire · back off
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