Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

have a bone to pick

Word Rarity Uncommon

Frequency: 4.37 in modern English

Syllables: have a bone -to pick
IPA

31

Scrabble Score

15

Letters

2

Syllables

12

Unique Chars

Meaning

verb

To have a complaint or grievance (with somebody); to have a contentious issue to discuss.

Example Sentences

""I offered her that sum if she would take the garment back. And she did, she did, and I shall never have to wear that dreadful satin again." ¶ I made a note of this dressmaker's name. She and I may have a bone to pick some day."
""I have a bone to pick with you," said Mrs Bosenna. . . . "You have not been near Rilla for weeks," she went on, reproachfully."
"Clearly, Mr. Jarrett has a bone to pick with musicians like Branford Marsalis, whom he believes "sell out"."
"Author John Putzier has a bone to pick with organizations that treat their employees as if they were all clones of one another."

Inflected Forms

has a bone to pick (present, singular) having a bone to pick (participle, present) had a bone to pick (participle, past) had a bone to pick (past)

Phrases

make no bones about have a crow to pull have an axe to grind

Frequently Paired Words

make no bones about have a crow to pull have an axe to grind

Questions

What does have a bone to pick mean?: To have a complaint or grievance (with somebody); to have a contentious issue to discuss.

How to pronounce have a bone to pick

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