Meanings of “Blood, Sweat and Tears”
The phrase “blood, sweat and tears” means to do great hard work and efforts in very difficult situations to succeed. It also means to do one’s best, without feeling tired or frustrated when the things are not in our favor.
Origin of “Blood, Sweat and Tears”
The phrase “blood, sweat and tears” was first used by Sir Winston Churchill in his speech delivered in 1940: “I have nothing to offer but blood, toil, tears and sweat.” However, the phrase has earlier used long before Winston Churchill. It was used by J. Davis in his sermons, Sermons on Various Subjects where it goes thus: “Christ the High Priest of our profession, when he laid down his life for us on Calvary, was bathed in his own blood, sweat and tears.” Now it is mostly attributed to Churchill and not to theological teachings. The phrase, however, appears in the same wording as given by Davis without the word ‘toil’.
Examples in Literature
Example #1
Blood, Sweat and Tears by Tim Vallie
Blood sweat and tears
Hard work and pain
Long days and long nights
Long walks in the rain
Nothing is new
Nothing has changed
I’m still me
Everything’s the same
Things may be different
But it don’t feel that way
Because I still can’t find the courage
To stand up and say
The thoughts that are running
Around in my head
The things that I’m feeling
From my joys to my dread
Everything is different
But everything’s the same
I’m still a screw up
That will never change
I’m still coward
I’m still a fool
But I am going to work
And I am going to pray
The poet explains his own personality that he continuously works hard and that nothing has changed for him. However, he lacks the courage to speak the truth that he had on his mind for many years. It means that he has not changed from that fool and coward young man even now. He is still doing the same work and praying the same prayers. The use of this phrase as its title and within the first verses show that its meanings are still the same that is hard work and labor in very difficult situations.
Example #2
Blood, Sweat and Tears by Sareena Asrar
My Blood Sweat and Tears
My last Dance
Take it away~ away~
All my blood sweat and tears
My body, mind and soul
Know well that I am yours
This is a spell that will punish me
The poet describes her emotions for her lover saying that all her hard works and efforts are for him. The title of the poem points to the efforts that the poet is making to win the love of her lover which is perhaps an unrequited love. The phrase has been used in an ironic sense.
Example #3
Blood, Sweat and Tears by Ronald W. Hull
Whatever fortune befalls us,
down through all the years,
we all must face the inevitable,
blood, sweat and tears.Whatever are your bloodlines,
will determine who you are,
regardless of your birth status,
blood will create your star.
Even in this poem, the poet tries to explain his own efforts and hard work. He believes that every person must be prepared to face challenging situations. In fact, depending on the amount of effort a person puts, he or she becomes a star. The poet also says that bloodlines, birth status, or previous status doesn’t matter to become a successful person. In other words, he means that it is “blood, sweat and tears” that matter in the world.
Example #4
Blood, Sweat and Tears by David Clayton-Thomas
This is a story of an Ontarian young man, Clayton-Thomas, who is estranged from his father and his headstrong behavior brought him to streets. This led him to the world of petty crimes and prisons where he spent the rest of his life until he discovered his inner talent for music. Later, he changed his life for good. His hard work brings him into the spotlight and he becomes a star overnight. The story tells how a person changes his fortune with his hard work.
Example in Sentences
Example #1: “Rosie was working three jobs and after a lot of blood, sweat, and tears, she finally received her scholarship to Cambridge, her dream university.”
Example #2: “The trekking group reached on the top of the hill after a grueling 7 hours climb; they were feeling blood, sweat, and tears coming out of their bodies after exhaustion.
Example #3: “Though Sam has shed blood, sweat, and tears for this post, he didn’t receive the job. The owner’s cousin already stole his post.”
Example #4: “King Bruce and his army have not spared any blood, sweat, and tears while fighting in the battlefield. Finally, they won the war.”
Example #5: “Martin didn’t know how to feed his family during the lockdown. He was already shedding blood, sweat, and tears while working as a pilot and now he couldn’t find a job.”