have a bone to pick with sb

Question

A: (Knock the door)B: Coming.A: I have a bone to pick with you.Does it mean I have a problem with you? where does it originate from?Thank you.

Marius Hancu · Accepted Answer

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MrPedantic · Answer

Hello Kanonathena

This means "I have a dispute or unpleasant matter to settle with you".

A similar Irish phrase is "I have a crow to pluck with you".

It seems to be a reference to picking the last bits of meat off a bone. This is a difficult business; the implication is that settling the dispute will mean a lot of difficult and detailed discussion.

(You'll also find suggestions on the internet that this relates to a custom at Sicilian weddings, but that sounds like a later rationalization to me.)

MrP

Kanonathena · Answer

"It seems to be a reference to picking the last bits of meat off a bone. "

Oh I see, I didn't know you could use pick this way.

Thanks a lot.

Hly2004 · Answer

Hi, there's also a simliar idiom in my mother language, "pick a bone from an egg", it means someone's picky. but "have a bone to pick with sb" is obviously different in the meaning.Just for your information.

Anonymous · Answer

"have a bone to pick with sb" could you tell me the meaning of that idiom and also, whats sb?

Dave Phillips · Answer

Anonymous"have a bone to pick with sb" could you tell me the meaning of that idiom and also, whats sb?

Mr Pedantic has already answered the meaning. sb is often used in dictionaries as shorthand for somebody.

have a bone to pick with sb

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