Meaning of Idiom ‘Have a Bone to Pick’
When you have a bone to pick (with someone), it means that you are angry at someone about a certain thing or have a grievance to discuss with them; to have something to disagree or argue with someone about. 1,2,3,4
The idiom ‘have a bone to pick’ almost always refers to a small argument or disagreement. It rarely refers to something momentous or irrevocable. It sometimes refers to unserious matters and may be used in a humorous way.
Sentence Examples
“I have a bone to pick with you over the expense account.”
“I have bone to pick with you. Did you tell Sherry I’d help her with her plumbing?”
“Tell Meredith I have a bone to pick with her. She needs to see me when she gets here.”
“Rick, I have a bone to pick with you over this work schedule. You keep sending me out alone with no helper. It’s a bit tough.”
“I’m afraid I have a bone to pick with you.” “If it’s about your camcorder, I lost it, okay?” “No, I came to talk to you about your… potty mouth.” — The Simpsons: Bart the Lover (1992)
“You know, I have a bone to pick with you.” “You have?” “Whenever you sit in that second row seat in our show, I forget all my lyrics.” — The Girl in the Red Velvet Swing (1955)
“I wouldn’t say that. I’d say the price is too high.” ” Too high? I could get six figures from any number of buyers and they’ll all have a bone to pick with Pakistan.” — Burn Notice: Trust Me (2008)
Have a Bone To Pick Origin
Used since the early 1500s, the idiom ‘have a bone to pick’ alludes to a dog gnawing or ‘picking’ at a bone. It may also allude to the fact that two dogs are unlikely to pick at the same bone. Therefore, if you have a bone to pick with someone, you have an argument with them. A related idiom is bone of contention.
More Idioms Related to Arguments or Disagreements
- Ayto, John. [http://amzn.to/2vdGvI7 Oxford Dictionary of English Idioms]. Oxford: Oxford U, 2010.
- Ammer, Christine. American Heritage Dictionary of Idioms. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2013.
- Kirkpatrick, Elizabeth M. The Wordsworth Dictionary of Idioms. Ware: Wordsworth, 1995.
- Heacock, Paul. Cambridge Dictionary of American Idioms]. Cambridge: Cambridge UP, 2010.