have a bone to pick

Meaning

This idiom means to have a grievance, complaint, or disagreement that needs to be discussed and resolved with someone. It is used when you are slightly annoyed with someone and want to confront them about something they did. The tone is casual, direct, and slightly confrontational but usually not overly aggressive.

Examples

• Hey, I have a bone to pick with you about the dirty dishes in the sink.

  Hey, I have a bone to pick with you about the dirty dishes in the sink.

• My roommate has a bone to pick with me because I forgot to pay my share of the rent.

  My roommate has a bone to pick with me because I forgot to pay my share of the rent.

• I have a bone to pick with the landlord regarding the broken heater.

  I have a bone to pick with the landlord regarding the broken heater.

• She called me because she had a bone to pick about my comments during the meeting.

  She called me because she had a bone to pick about my comments during the meeting.

• Before we start the party, I have a bone to pick with you about your late arrival.

  Before we start the party, I have a bone to pick with you about your late arrival.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ I have a bone to pick to you.

  ✓ I have a bone to pick with you.

  The preposition used with the person you have a grievance with is always 'with', not 'to'.

• ✗ He has a bone for picking with his boss.

  ✓ He has a bone to pick with his boss.

  The idiom must use the infinitive form 'to pick' rather than the gerund 'for picking'.

Related Expressions

Practice

• I ___ with Sarah because she borrowed my car without asking.

  💡 Have a complaint to discuss.

  Show answer

  have a bone to pick

• If you ___ with me, just say it directly instead of being passive-aggressive.

  💡 Have a grievance to resolve.

  Show answer

  have a bone to pick