flesh and blood

offspring or relatives: one's own flesh and blood.

the human body or nature: more than flesh and blood can endure.

Origin of flesh and blood

Middle English word dating back to 1200–50

That even in 2014—the era of EDM and “selfie pop”—a small, live, flesh-and-blood band could still be (and have) so much fun.

Beck’s Musical Time Machine: This Wasn’t a Concert. It was a Spectacular Party. |Andrew Romano |April 18, 2014 |DAILY BEAST
However, she soon discovers that Linda is a mentally unstable woman who believes a baby doll is a flesh-and-blood child.

Jessica Biel on ‘The Truth About Emanuel,’ Motherhood, Justin Timberlake, and More |Marlow Stern |January 7, 2014 |DAILY BEAST
It's also a lot easier to find another job if you have flesh-and-blood friends in the industry.

Ask the Blogger |Megan McArdle |November 26, 2012 |DAILY BEAST
By excluding business income taxes, our picture is more narrowly focused on flesh-and-blood people.

The 'Maker' States: More Taxed, More Pro-Obama |Alex Klein |September 21, 2012 |DAILY BEAST

His challenge to use this week to cast the race as between two flesh-and-blood men, not the apparition of 2008.

Democratic Convention Dilemma: Obama 2012 vs. Obama 2008 |Howard Kurtz |September 4, 2012 |DAILY BEAST
It's a flesh-and-blood tie, a permanent junction, an isthmus, what?

The Tremendous Event |Maurice Leblanc
Meanwhile her flesh-and-blood child had to fight her battles with the landlord and tradesmen.

The Girls of Central High on the Stage |Gertrude W. Morrison
The flesh-and-blood body of man has not changed in the last several thousand years.

Revolution and Other Essays |Jack London
And still the flesh-and-blood Aaron sat with his arm over the side.

Aaron's Rod |D. H. Lawrence
All this being so, it may be thought that I have underestimated the flesh-and-blood qualities in Mr. Conrad's work.

Old and New Masters |Robert Lynd

flesh and blood

Human beings, especially with respect to their failings or weaknesses. For example, I can't do everything—I'm only flesh and blood. [c. 1600]

one's own flesh and blood. One's blood relatives, kin, as in She can't cut her own flesh and blood out of her will. [c. 1300]