膏こう血けつ

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.

• 資し本ほん家かは労ろう働どう者しゃの膏こう血けつを搾しぼり取とっている。

  The capitalists are squeezing the sweat and blood out of the workers.

• 彼かれの財ざい産さんは多おおくの人ひとの膏こう血けつの上うえに成なり立たっている。

  His fortune is built on the sweat and blood of many people.