Have a bone to pick with someone means they did something that bothered you, and you want to talk about it. The reason usually comes straight after: I have a bone to pick with you: you ate my yoghurt. It's often half-joking, but it can be serious too.
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have a bone to pick with + person; have a bone to pick about + issue
- I have a bone to pick with you: you borrowed the ladder and left it outside.
- Maya had a bone to pick with the organiser about the missing name badges.
- He smiled and said he had a bone to pick with me about my impossible quiz question.
What changed
First versionI have a bone to pick to you about the broken mug.
RevisionI have a bone to pick with you about the broken mug.
You make a complaint to someone, so to feels natural here as well: a bone to pick to you. But this idiom introduces the person with with: a bone to pick with you. The reason is added with about: about the broken mug.
A bone of contention is an issue two sides argue over: Money was a bone of contention. Have a bone to pick with someone is your complaint against one person: I have a bone to pick with you about the car. In a work email, a calmer option is I'd like to raise an issue with you.
Your turn
I have a bone to pick ___ you: the tools were not put back.
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with — You need with: a bone to pick with you. To may come from complain to someone, but this idiom doesn't use it.
Write a half-joking complaint to a friend, neighbour or colleague about something small at home or at work.
I have a bone to pick with you: you finished the puzzle before I got home.
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