Where did the saying bone of contention come from?
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medical health
bone and joint conditions
Origin of Bone of Contention
The most probable origin of this phrase comes from the idea of two dogs fighting—or contending—over one bone. Neither will give up his position, and the bone is seen as the specific point of arguing.
Keeping this in consideration, what does the phrase a bone of contention mean?
Bone of contention is an idiom describing an ongoing argument or discussion over a topic or issue. Some dictionaries list this phrase on its own, while others give bone the definition of a topic or issue and use of contention as a common modifier. The plural is bones of contention.
- And yet, this latest contention was about inheritance, not love.
- The correspondence was shown to Franklin by a mysterious " member of parliament " to back up the contention that the quartering of troops in Boston was suggested, not by the British ministry, but by Americans and Bostonians.
Also to know is, how do you use bone of contention in a sentence?
Example Sentences
- A serious bone of contention between the landowners and the developers was the compensation price for the land.
- The fact that Peter did not go to medical school is a bone of contention between him and his father.
- After my grandfather died his will was a bone of contention in the family.
a shoulder to cry on. C2. someone who is willing to listen to your problems and give you sympathy, emotional support, and encouragement: I wish you'd been here when my mother died and I needed a shoulder to cry on.