bone of contention

noun

1. a subject, cause, or focal point of a dispute.

   The terms of the old man's will were a bone of contention to his survivors.

bone of contention

noun

1. the grounds or subject of a dispute

Word History and Origins

Origin of bone of contention¹

First recorded in 1705–15

Idioms and Phrases

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.

Example Sentences

Irish language was a major bone of contention for years between Sinn Féin and the DUP and this upcoming court battle has reignited the tensions that had mostly cooled down.

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To continue the analogy, the way was clear for an invasion of Mexico only after the U.S. had concluded an agreement with Britain over division of the Pacific Northwest, long a bone of contention.

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“You know, there are things that I don’t entirely agree with. But it’s difficult for me to bring that up in an interview because then it creates a bone of contention,” he added.

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There should also be plenty of finance available for him to finally bring in a prolific centre forward to get Arsenal over the line in competitions - a bone of contention among supporters.

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For Emery and PSG it was worse, not helped by officiating that is still a bone of contention in Paris to this day.

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