1 B2 idiomatic neutral
To feel genuine and deep compassion or sorrow for someone's suffering.
"I bleed for the families who lost everything in the earthquake."
inseparable
bleed for
B2 neutral inseparable transitive
To feel great compassion or deep sorrow for someone; to suffer emotionally on someone else's behalf.
In plain English
To feel so sorry for someone that it hurts you too.
What does "bleed for" mean?
2 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 C1 idiomatic informal
Used sarcastically to show that one does NOT feel sympathy for someone.
"Oh, you only got a two percent pay rise? My heart bleeds for you."
inseparable
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To literally bleed in someone's name — suffer or sacrifice for them.
Actually means
To feel so sorry for someone that it hurts you too.
Usage tip
Almost always used figuratively in modern English. Implies empathy so deep it feels like a physical ache. Can also be used sarcastically to mean the opposite ('My heart bleeds for you'). The sarcastic use is quite common in British English and should be learned alongside the sincere sense.
Words that pair with "bleed for"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
heart victims children country people suffering
How to conjugate "bleed for"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
bleed for
I/you/we/they
3rd person
bleeds for
he/she/it
Past simple
bleeded for
yesterday
Past participle
bleeded for
have + pp
-ing form
bleeding for
continuous
Hear "bleed for" in the wild
Listen to native speakers using "bleed for" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
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