first blood

Definitions

1. The condition in a duel in which the first one to draw blood from the other wins.
   uncountable
2. The first damage or reverse inflicted on an opponent in a conflict.
   uncountable
3. The first score in a competition.
   uncountable

Examples

“Sayers won first blood by cutting Crouch's right eye, and the battle by knocking his man out with a nose-ender in 12 minutes 28 seconds, 6 rounds being fought.”

“Rambo - They drew first blood, not me. Trautman - Look⟳ Johnny, let⟳ me come⟳ in and get⟳ you the hell out of there! Rambo - They drew first blood... Trautman - Rambo, are you still reading me? Covey leader to Raven! Rambo! Acknowledge! http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0083944/quotes”

“Johnston, meanwhile, has managed to get⟳ within five miles of its target⟳, and fires a full spread⟳ of ten torpedoes. Minutes later, at least two, possibly three, tear⟳ the bow off the hapless cruiser Kumano. First blood, unbelievably, therefore, goes to the Americans.”

CEFR level