bear a grudge

Meaning

This expression means to maintain a feeling of anger, resentment, or ill will toward someone over a long period, usually because of a past slight, insult, or injury. It implies that the person refuses to forgive and forget. While 'hold a grudge' is also common, 'bear a grudge' is a slightly more formal or traditional variant.

Examples

• Even though she apologized, he still bears a grudge against her for the mistake.

  Even though she apologized, he still bears a grudge against her for the mistake.

• Life is too short to bear a grudge over something that happened ten years ago.

  Life is too short to bear a grudge over something that happened ten years ago.

• She is not the type of person to bear a grudge; she forgives people very quickly.

  She is not the type of person to bear a grudge; she forgives people very quickly.

• He bears a grudge against his former business partner who cheated him out of his shares.

  He bears a grudge against his former business partner who cheated him out of his shares.

• I know I hurt your feelings, but please don't bear a grudge against me forever.

  I know I hurt your feelings, but please don't bear a grudge against me forever.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ He still carries a grudge to me.

  ✓ He still bears a grudge against me.

  The correct preposition is 'against' (or 'toward'), and while 'carry a grudge' is sometimes heard, 'bear a grudge' or 'hold a grudge' are the standard collocations.

• ✗ She keeps a grudge about her friend.

  ✓ She bears a grudge against her friend.

  Use 'bear' or 'hold' with 'grudge', not 'keep'.

Related Expressions

Practice

• It's exhausting to ___ against someone for years; it's better to let it go.

  💡 Keep holding onto resentment.

  Show answer

  bear a grudge

• I don't want you to ___ against me just because I couldn't make it to your party.

  💡 Maintain ill will.

  Show answer

  bear a grudge