have a bone to pick (with someone)
have a grievance to discuss with someone
In Spanish
tener algo que reclamar, tener una queja
Examples
- I have a bone to pick with you about yesterday's email.
- She had a bone to pick with her colleague over the missing report.
- After the meeting, he said he had a bone to pick with the manager.
When it's used
This idiom is used informally in everyday situations when someone wants to discuss a complaint or issue with another person. It's more common in spoken conversation than in formal writing. It is used in both professional and personal settings.
The common mistake
A common mistake is translating it literally from Spanish as 'have something to claim'. This does not convey the meaning of having a grievance and is not how English speakers express the idea. Remember that this idiom does not translate word for word.