Bone of contention

Meaning

The idiom "bone of contention" refers to a topic or issue that causes disagreement or conflict between people. It is an issue that people strongly believe in and are unwilling to compromise on, often leading to heated arguments or disputes.

Usage

• The political party's stance on immigration has become a bone of contention in recent elections.
• The workers' union has been fighting for better wages and benefits, but the company refuses to budge from their current offer, making it a bone of contention between the two groups.
• The family's disagreements over how to handle their mother's health issues have turned into a bone of contention, causing tension and stress within the group.
• The ongoing debate over gun control measures has become a bone of contention between pro-gun rights activists and those advocating for stricter regulations.
• The two friends had a heated argument over who should pay for dinner, which quickly turned into a bone of contention that left them both feeling upset.

Roots and History

The phrase "bone of contention" has its roots in medieval literature, where it was used to describe a dispute between people over something of value, such as land or livestock. Over time, the term evolved to refer to any issue that caused disagreement or conflict. The first known use of the idiom in print was by William Shakespeare in his play "Much Ado About Nothing" in 1598.

Synonyms in English

• Point of contention
• Source of conflict
• Topic of discussion
• Cause of disagreement
• Area of dispute

Synonyms in other languages

| Language | Idiom | Translation | Description | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | French | Bone de contention | Stick in the mud | A person or thing that causes conflict or disagreement | | German | Knochenstreitigkeitsmittelpunkt | Streitpunkt | The center of a dispute or controversy | | Spanish | Hueso de contención | Bone of contention | An issue or topic that causes disagreement or conflict | | Russian | Костная спорность | Sporny | Something that is difficult to agree on or resolve | | Chinese | 骨头纠正 | Kǎotóu kèzheng | A controversial or disputed matter that requires correction |

Similar Idioms

• bread and butter

• bite tongue

• bear the brunt of