Make Someone’s Blood Boil– Idiom Meaning, Origin, Examples & IELTS Usage

In IELTS Speaking, using idioms effectively can make your answers sound natural, expressive, and high-scoring. One such idiom is “Make someone’s blood boil,” which is perfect for describing situations that make you extremely angry or frustrated. In this blog, we’ll explore its meaning, origin, examples, scenarios, and how to use it confidently in IELTS Speaking.

Meaning of “Make Someone’s Blood Boil”

Definition:
The idiom “Make someone’s blood boil” means to make someone extremely angry or furious.

Origin of the Idiom “Make Someone’s Blood Boil”

This expression has its roots in the 17th century, where anger was often metaphorically described as “blood boiling.” It gained wider recognition in Macaulay’s History of England (1848):

“The thought of such intervention made the blood, even of The Cavaliers, boil in their veins.”

Over time, it became a common idiom to describe situations that provoke strong anger.

Usage of “Make Someone’s Blood Boil” in Context

Here are some example sentences showing how the idiom is used in the IELTS Speaking: 

• When I hear people gossip about others, it makes my blood boil.
• I heard the news of the girl’s death yesterday; it made my blood boil.
• My blood boiled when he called me a thief.
• It makes my blood boil when I see people abusing children.
• Just the mention of his name is enough to make my blood boil.

When to Use the Idiom “Make Someone’s Blood Boil”

You can use this idiom in IELTS Speaking Part 1, Part 2, or IELTS Speaking Part 3 when:

• Talking about experiences that made you very angry.
• Sharing frustrating events at work, school, or in daily life.
• Describing unfair situations or injustice.

Idiom Scenarios

Scenario 1

• Heena: Did you hear what happened?

• Dean: I did. It made my blood boil.

Scenario 2

• Ian: I can’t believe this, it’s totally unfair.

• Fenrick: Well, it’s bad but it doesn’t have to make your blood boil. It wasn’t worth it.

Scenario 3

• Fred: Did you hear why they broke up?

• Jill: I did! I can’t believe he left her for someone else.

• Fred: Yes! She is one of the best and kindest people I’ve known.

• Jill: I know! It made my blood boil when I heard the news!

Sample Answer Using the Idiom “Make Someone’s Blood Boil”

IELTS Speaking Part 2 – Describe a Situation That Made You Angry

One incident that made my blood boil recently was when I saw someone littering in the park. I was walking there early in the morning, and the park was mostly empty. Suddenly, a group of people threw plastic bottles and wrappers on the ground instead of using the dustbins.

It made my blood boil because the park is meant to be clean and enjoyable for everyone. I approached them politely and asked them to pick up the litter, but they ignored me. Witnessing such careless behavior frustrated me a lot. This experience reminded me of the importance of civic responsibility and respecting public spaces.

IELTS Vocabulary Tip for “Make Someone’s Blood Boil”

Using idioms like “make someone’s blood boil” in IELTS Speaking demonstrates lexical resource and helps your speech sound natural and expressive. Use it when describing strong emotions, anger, or frustration.

Exercise: “Make Someone’s Blood Boil”

Multiple-Choice Question
Q1: What does “make someone’s blood boil” mean in the sentence below?

“It made my blood boil when I saw people cheating in the exam.”

a) To feel excited
b) To feel extremely angry
c) To feel sad
d) To feel sleepy

Correct Answer: b) To feel extremely angry

Fill-in-the-Blank
Q2: The news about unfair treatment of workers really __________!

a) Made my blood boil
b) Hit the books
c) Called it a day
d) Broke the ice

Correct Answer: a) Made my blood boil

The idiom “Make someone’s blood boil” is a strong expression to convey anger and frustration naturally in English. Using it appropriately in IELTS Speaking can demonstrate your lexical range and make your responses more engaging. Practise it with real-life examples, and you’ll be able to describe emotional experiences fluently, leaving a positive impression on the examiner. If you're aiming for top scores, follow the IELTS Exam Preparation Tips for Band Score of 8+ to further enhance your vocabulary and overall test performance.

Also Check: 

• 21+ Tips On How to Improve Your IELTS Writing Band Score
• IELTS Exam Preparation Tips for Band Score of 8+
• IELTS Writing Task 1 Connectors
• 10 Useful IELTS Speaking Tips to Impress the Examiner
• Useful Idioms for IELTS Speaking to Score Band 8.0+