bear a grudge

USAGE SUMMARY

"bear a grudge" is a perfectly acceptable phrase in written English.
You would use it to refer to the feeling of resentment or anger someone has towards someone else, typically not intense and long lasting. Example: Even after all these years, he still bears a grudge against her for abandoning their family.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Books

Sports

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Anyway, I bear a grudge.

The New Yorker

You don't bear a grudge.

The New York Times

I didn't bear a grudge, though.

Independent

Solzhenitsyn might bear a grudge, but Amis?

The New Yorker

It's not often I bear a grudge.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Fran was never the sort to bear a grudge.

The New Yorker

He has every right to bear a grudge against fate.

The Guardian

"I bear a grudge, I'm vindictive," he admits.

The Guardian - Music

"We don't bear a grudge against the sea," he says.

The Guardian

But Hull, it would seem, does not bear a grudge.

The Guardian - Books

That's a long time to bear a grudge.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "bear a grudge" to describe a situation where someone continues to feel resentment or anger towards another person for a past offense. It suggests a lingering negative emotion.

Common error

Avoid using "bear a grudge" to describe fleeting moments of anger. The phrase implies a sustained, though possibly quiet, resentment over time, not just a passing annoyance.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "bear a grudge" functions as a verb phrase. Ludwig AI confirms its standard usage for expressing the act of maintaining resentment. It generally needs a subject (who bears the grudge) and can be followed by against whom the grudge is held.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Books

10%

Science

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Social Media

2%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "bear a grudge" is a common and grammatically correct idiom used to describe the act of holding onto resentment or anger towards someone for a past offense. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is widely used and understood. It frequently appears in news articles, books, and other forms of media, indicating its acceptability in both formal and informal contexts. While alternatives such as "hold a resentment" or "harbor ill will" exist, "bear a grudge" remains a straightforward and effective way to express sustained animosity. When using this phrase, remember that it implies a lasting negative emotion, not just a passing feeling of annoyance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

hold a resentment

Focuses on the feeling of resentment rather than the act of holding onto it.

harbor ill will

Implies a secret or hidden feeling of animosity.

nurse a grievance

Suggests a prolonged and careful cultivation of a complaint.

remain bitter

Emphasizes the state of being bitter after an event.

hold a vendetta

Indicates a more intense and active pursuit of revenge.

nurture animosity

Implies actively fostering feelings of animosity.

sustain resentment

Highlights the continuation of resentment over time.

cling to bitterness

Suggests an unwillingness to let go of negative feelings.

foster animosity

Implies deliberate cultivation of hostile feelings.

maintain animosity

Highlights the active maintenance of hostile feelings.

FAQs

How can I use "bear a grudge" in a sentence?

You can use "bear a grudge" to describe someone who holds onto resentment or anger towards another person for a past offense. For example, "Even after many years, he continued to "bear a grudge" against his former business partner".

What does it mean to "bear a grudge"?

To "bear a grudge" means to hold onto feelings of resentment or anger towards someone because of something they did in the past. It implies a sustained negative emotion.

Which is more appropriate, "bear a grudge" or "hold a grudge"?

"Bear a grudge" and "hold a grudge" are both acceptable and have nearly identical meanings. The choice often comes down to personal preference or stylistic considerations.

What are some other ways to say "bear a grudge"?

You can use alternatives like "hold a resentment", "harbor ill will", or "nurse a grievance" depending on the context.