Dictionary

bone of contention en · NOUN

Pronunciation

• (Australia) audio
• /ˈboʊn əv kənˈtɛnʃən/ (US)
• (US) audio
• /ˈbəʊn əv kənˈtɛnʃən/ (Received-Pronunciation)

Etymology

A reference to two dogs fighting over the same bone.

Meanings

1. (idiomatic) Something that continues to be disputed; something on which no agreement can be reached.
   • The crossing caused serious congestion with long traffic hold-ups, and had been a bone of contention between the local authorities and the railway for over eighty years. It was controlled from Fletton Road Junction Signalbox (removed at the same time) and, until a wheel was installed in 1920, required two gatemen on each turn of duty. 1959 April 14, C. R. Clinker and R. A. Dane, “The Railways of Peterborough”, in Railway Magazine, page 230:
   • England's "Football Coming Home" anthem became a serious bone of contention at the World Cup - with Croatia using it as a sign of arrogance from their opponents in the build up to the semi-final. 2018 November 18, Phil McNulty, “England 2 - 1 Croatia”, in BBC Sport:
   • But does the level crossing really need upgrading? Listening to Prosser, one gets the impression that this need to 'upgrade' is almost a kneejerk reaction. Although it is manually operated, Prosser thinks that the crossing is "pretty safe as it is", especially given the levels of traffic on the line. The signage, he says, could definitely be improved. But this relationship between who is responsible, either Network Rail or the local/road authorities, has long been a bone of contention. "In my experience, there's always a 'not my problem' attitude," he observes. 2026 April 1, Richard Foster, “Fenland bridge "not safe"”, in RAIL, number 1058, page 33:
   • It is still a bone of contention whether to go ahead with the original plan in light of the new evidence.

Forms

Relateds

sticking point · apple of discord · stumbling block

Translations (17)

fr pomme de discorde (Something that continues to be disputed) · sk jablko sváru (Something that continues to be disputed) · lv strīda ābols (Something that continues to be disputed) · de Zankapfel (Something that continues to be disputed) · fi riitakapula (Something that continues to be disputed) · pdt Strietfroag (Something that continues to be disputed) · it pomo della discordia (Something that continues to be disputed) · bg я́блъка на раздо́ра (Something that continues to be disputed) · ru я́блоко раздо́ра (Something that continues to be disputed) · nl twistpunt (Something that continues to be disputed) · sv stridsäpple (Something that continues to be disputed) · pl jabłko niezgody (Something that continues to be disputed) · et tüliõun (Something that continues to be disputed) · sv tvistefrö (Something that continues to be disputed) · cs jablko sváru (Something that continues to be disputed) · pl kość niezgody (Something that continues to be disputed) · fi kiistakapula (Something that continues to be disputed)