Blood on the Floor

What metaphorically lies ahead for someone who was, or might be, held accountable for an undesirable performance. It might include termination, public admonishment, or other serious punishment. The consequences of his actions will be so severe that it brings to mind thoughts of severed limbs, beatings, or anything that causes blood loss. It might also come into play when principals in a poor-performing company ask for relief from a lender. The lender is not likely to grant the relief unless there is some blood on the floor.

Use: “When Mr. Dell hears that 15 percent of his brand-named PCs are crashing in the first year of service, the blood on the floor will be that of the quality control staff.”