black and blue

Definition

Having obvious bruises of the skin, typically from falling or being hit or punched.

Etymology

From Middle English blak and blo, blac and bla (“very dark, bruised”), equivalent to black + and + blow (dialectal term for blue). By surface analysis, black + and + blue.

Example Sentences

• "My arm is still black and blue from slipping on the ice yesterday."
• "The whole benighted, blooming crew, The Puddin'-thieves, the Usher too, Are being beaten black and blue With bottles on the pate."