Akademik

кровь играет
КРОВЬ КИПИТ/ЗАКИПЕЛА (ИГРАЕТ/ЗАИГРАЛА, РАЗЫГРАЛАСЬ, ГОРИТ/РАЗГОРЕЛАСЬ, БРОДИТ) в ком; КРОВЬ ИГРАЕТ/ЗАИГРАЛА В ЖИЛАХ у кого{{}}
[VPsubj; usu. this WO]
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1. [usu. impfv]
s.o. has a surplus of energy, vitality (may refer to sensuality):
- в X-e кровь кипит{{}} X's blood is racing;
- X's blood runs hot;
- X is bursting with energy (with life);
- X is full of life (energy, pep, vim and vigor);
- X's juices are flowing.
2. s.o. experiences strong emotion, is seized by passion, has a rush of feeling, burns with anger etc: кровь в X-e кипит X's blood is on fire; X's blood courses in (through) his veins; [usu. in refer, to intense anger]
X's blood boils; it makes X's blood boil; X's blood is up.
     ♦ "На тротуаре, видит, идет какая-то стройная англичанка, как лебедь, можете себе представить, эдакий. Мой Копейкин, кровь-то, знаете, разыгралась в нём, побежал было за ней на своей деревяшке, трюх-трюх следом..." (Гоголь 3). "As he was walking along the pavement, he saw a tall and slender Englishwoman coming towards him, like a swan, yes, sir, like a real swan, in a manner of speaking. Poor old Kopeikin-his blood, you see, was on fire - started running after her, his wooden leg clip-clopping on the pavement" (3a).
     ♦ ...Эти [петербуржцы] ничем не увлекутся, в них не кипит кровь, вино не вскружит им голову (Герцен 2). ...These Petersburg men are never carried away by anything: their blood never boils, and wine does not turn their heads (2a).

Большой русско-английский фразеологический словарь. — М.: ACT-ПРЕСС КНИГА. . 2004.