Bone of contention
Meaning
A bone of contention is a subject or issue that causes ongoing disagreement or dispute between people or groups.
Origin
The vivid image at the heart of "bone of contention" is as ancient as conflict itself: two hungry dogs fiercely battling over a single, desirable bone. This primal scene of possessiveness and dispute was known even to the ancients, with Homer’s Iliad describing warriors fighting over a fallen hero "like dogs fighting for a bone." While the concept is timeless, the precise English idiom gained widespread use in the 18th century, becoming a shorthand for any topic or item that perpetually ignites arguments and keeps adversaries locked in a bitter struggle, much like those snarling canines unwilling to yield their prize.
Examples
- The inheritance of the old family estate became a significant bone of contention among the siblings for years.
- Disagreements over how to allocate the budget remained a bone of contention at every board meeting.