Main issue of a disagreement; something to quarrel about. For example, Grandfather's will was a bone of contention for the whole family. This expression alludes to two dogs fighting (contending) over a single bone. In slightly different guise,
bone of dissension, it was used figuratively in the 16th century and took its present form in the
early 1700s.
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bone of contention
American Heritage Dictionary of Idioms:
bone of contention |
Related Videos:
bone of contention |
Related topics:
 | Operation Diplomatic Passport (1962 Action Film) |
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Copyrights:
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 | American Heritage Dictionary of Idioms. The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer. Copyright © 1997 by The Christine Ammer 1992 Trust. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved. Read more |
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- What is the figure of speech for bone of contention?
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- When is the word bone of contention used?
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Mentioned in
- Operation Diplomatic Passport (1962 Action Film)
- Corporation Act
- The Man with the Magnetic Eyes (1945 Crime Film)
- Episode 13: Dark Shadows (TV Episode) (1966 Horror TV Episode)
- Atentat u Sarajevu (1975 Historical Film)
- Circus Girl (1937 Adventure Film)
- The Heart of the Blue Ridge (1915 Crime Film)
- Men Are Children Twice (1953 Comedy Film)
- New World (1986 Drama Film)
- Spotkanie Na Atlantyku (1980 Film)
- Claudine (1940 Film)
- The Real Adventures of Jonny Quest: The Spectre of the Pine Barr (1996 Children's/Family Film)
- The In-Laws: Little House on the Prairie (TV Episode) (1980 Drama TV Episode)
- Rivals: Frasier (TV Episode) (1999 Comedy TV Episode)
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