first blood (uncountable)
- The condition in a duel in which the first one to draw blood from the other wins.
- The first damage or reverse inflicted on an opponent in a conflict.
1879, Ed James, The Lives and Battles of the Champions of England, page 39:Sayers won first blood by cutting Crouch's right eye, and the battle by knocking his man out with a nose-ender in 12 minutes 28 seconds, 6 rounds being fought.
- Rambo - They drew first blood, not me.
Trautman - Look Johnny, let me come in and get you the hell out of there!
Rambo - They drew first blood...
Trautman - Rambo, are you still reading me? Covey leader to Raven! Rambo! Acknowledge! http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0083944/quotes
2019 February 27, Drachinifel, 18:01 from the start, in The Battle of Samar - Odds? What are those?[1], archived from the original on 3 November 2022:Johnston, meanwhile, has managed to get within five miles of its target, and fires a full spread of ten torpedoes. Minutes later, at least two, possibly three, tear the bow off the hapless cruiser Kumano. First blood, unbelievably, therefore, goes to the Americans.
- (sports) The first score in a competition.
