blood and thunder

noun

1. sensationalism, violence, or exaggerated melodrama:

   a movie full of blood and thunder.

blood-and-thunder

adjective

1. denoting or relating to a melodramatic adventure story

Word History and Origins

Origin of blood and thunder¹

First recorded in 1855–60

Example Sentences

That was a regular hair-raiser, as the fellow said when he finished the blood-and-thunder story.

From Project Gutenberg

Just show me something more in the blood-and-thunder line—no, at the other end of the room.

From Project Gutenberg

Such had been his character and life that the illustrious man was called by the name of Old Blood-and-Thunder.

From Project Gutenberg

Even a blood-and-thunder story of the Russian police was turned on as a serial story in their daily papers.

From Project Gutenberg

An aide-de-camp of Old Blood-and-Thunder, travelling through the valley, was said to have been struck with the resemblance.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• theatrical