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

Mainoo, meanwhile, rose above the blood and thunder with rare composure for one so young.

From BBC

There isn't the blood and thunder of South Africa, the champagne and swagger of France or the intricacies of Ireland.

From BBC

On the other side of the English Channel, the reaction against the French Revolution packed a lot more blood and thunder.

From Salon

“You will see a procession of game shows, violence, audience participation shows, formula comedies about totally unbelievable families, blood and thunder, mayhem, violence, sadism, murder, Western bad men, Western good men, private eyes, gangsters, more violence and cartoons. And endlessly, commercials — many screaming, cajoling and offending. And most of all, boredom.”

From New York Times

“You will see a procession of game shows, formula comedies about totally unbelievable families, blood and thunder, mayhem, violence, sadism, murder, Western bad men, Western good men, private eyes, gangsters, more violence and cartoons. And, endlessly, commercials - many screaming, cajoling and offending.”

From Washington Times

Related Words

• theatrical