Blood on your hands

Meaning

Guilt for causing harm or death.

Usage

Used in moral contexts to describe culpability.

Origin & History

Origins and dates here are approximate summaries. Many idioms have disputed or unknown origins, and not every date has been checked against a historical dictionary, so treat specific dates and stories as a starting point rather than a citation.

Literal image of committing violence leaving stains.

Used in literature and law for centuries about guilt.