flesh and blood vs. flesh and soul

[Kerim]

English Language Tests, Intermediate level

ESL/EFL Test #145 "Short Idioms Exam", question 8

Mandy's children are her flesh and ......... so they always come first on her priority list.

(a) blood
(b) water
(c) soul
(d) friend

English Language Tests, Intermediate level

ESL/EFL Test #145 "Short Idioms Exam", answer 8

Mandy's children are her flesh and blood so they always come first on her priority list.

Correct answer: (a) blood
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Why is not "flesh and soul"?

Kerim

[Yankee]

Hi Kerim

Idioms are fixed expressions and 'flesh and blood' is an idiom. You need to learn and use the expression as a (fixed) whole. Generally speaking, if you change part of an idiom, you will lose the idiomatic meaning.
Click here for a dictionary definition.

[prezbucky]

flesh and blood = animate, real, son/daughter/family (or literally flesh and blood, relating to the body)

compound noun (non-hyphenated), compound adjective (hyphenated)

She is a flesh-and-blood woman.

He is ("of" is optional here) my flesh and blood.

This is flesh-and-blood action, not one of those virtual reality things.
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Billie Jean is not my lover. Hee.