noun
sweat and blood; hard-earned rewards
Literary expression for the fruits of one's toil, often used in contexts of exploitation or sacrifice. The kanji 膏 (fat/oil) and 血 (blood) evoke bodily essence given up through hard labor.
資本家は労働者の膏血を搾り取っている。
The capitalists are squeezing the sweat and blood out of the workers.
彼の財産は多くの人の膏血の上に成り立っている。
His fortune is built on the sweat and blood of many people.