The idiom ‘a bone of contention’ is related by origin and meaning to ‘have a bone to pick.’ But, while having a bone to pick is an informal and common idiom, bone of contention is more formal and tends to be used in literary and journalistic works.
Meaning Of Idiom ‘A Bone Of Contention’
A bone of contention is the main issue of disagreement between two people or other entities; something that people are quarreling about; a disagreement that is not settled; or the thing that causes two people not to get along.
Since having a bone to pick is being angry about a certain thing or having a grievance to discuss, if you have a bone to pick with someone, there is a bone of contention between you.
Sentence Examples
“Who should be responsible for trimming the tree on the border of their property is a bone of contention between the neighbors.”
“We never agree on whose job it is to take out the trash. It’s always a bone of contention.”
“Grandpa left his house to all the siblings. It’s been a bone of contention between them for years.”
“What are we arguing for? Nobody wants to market it.” “Quite right. My dear friends, you must see that our bone of contention is nonexistent.” — The Man in the White Suit (1952)
“The bone of contention really was a profit participation and not so much about having the courtesy to offer him to direct the next movie.” — Never Sleep Again: The Elm Street Legacy (2010)
“Unfortunately, the female characters in Indy had to go through the most abuse of the creepy, crawly, disgusting scares. That was a big bone of contention at the audition.” — Indiana Jones: Making the Trilogy (2003)
“They’re armed to the teeth down there, but it is doable. We only have one bone of contention. The Major here thinks my security team is far too valuable to bring down and put in the line of fire.” — Enterprise: The Xindi (2003)
“Was it unusual for Dr Latimer to be late for an appointment?” “Not at all unusual. He frequently keeps me waiting. In fact, it’s rather a bone of contention between us.” — The Vicious Circle (1957)
Origin
This idiom started as a bone of dissension in the 1500s and had become ‘bone of contention’ by the early 1700s.
The expression suggests two dogs fighting or ‘contending’ over a single bone.
