to have a complaint or grievance to discuss with someone · to be annoyed about something someone did
Imagine your friend borrowed your favorite book and returned it with a coffee stain! 😱 You're not furious, but you definitely need to talk to them about it. This phrase is perfect for when you have a specific complaint or issue to address with someone. It implies a mild to moderate level of annoyance that you need to discuss, rather than just brushing it off. 😠
💡 **Why a bone?** The origin of this idiom probably comes from two dogs fighting over a bone! 🐶🦴 So, when you 'have a bone to pick,' it means you have an unresolved issue or disagreement that you want to 'fight' (or rather, discuss) with someone. It's often used when you want to gently confront someone about something they did that bothered you. It’s usually not for super serious conflicts, but for things that are annoying or unfair.
Your friend Mike borrowed your car and returned it with an empty gas tank. Which English expression would you use to express your annoyance to them? A. I'm all ears. B. I have a bone to pick with you. C. No biggie.