bloodletting (TCM); beating; slash prices; spend heavily
Meanings
3 senses · 7 examplesverb
to let blood; bloodletting
formalA traditional Chinese medical treatment, typically used to release "toxins" or improve circulation.
The old TCM doctor used a three-edged needle for bloodletting to treat the patient's headache.
In some ancient medical systems, bloodletting was a common therapy.
verb
to beat up (someone until they bleed); to assault
informalUsed in informal/spoken language to describe a violent beating resulting in injury.
Be careful, those guys will really beat you bloody if you provoke them.
Over a minor argument, he was beaten up and bled in an alley.
verb
to slash prices; to spend a fortune (metaphorically)
informalInformal, figurative use. Can describe a business making deep discounts to clear inventory, or an individual/organization incurring significant financial expenditure.
During the Double Eleven shopping festival, many e-commerce platforms are slashing prices in crazy promotions.
To buy a wedding apartment for their son, the old couple really spent a fortune this time.
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To survive the crisis, the company had to make a painful cut, slashing the year-end bonus to reduce a huge expense.