bears a grudge

USAGE SUMMARY

"bears a grudge" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It means to hold onto a feeling of resentment or bitterness towards someone or something. You can use this phrase in any situation where someone is holding onto negative feelings towards someone or something. For example: "Despite her efforts to reconcile, he still bears a grudge against her for betraying his trust."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Lifestyle

Sports

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

20 human-written examples

As ever, Morrissey bears a grudge.

The Guardian - Music

Aaji still bears a grudge against the teacher who prevented her from studying beyond middle school.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Thomas is a flawed character who snorts cocaine when working and bears a grudge against his ex-wife.

Independent

Given his unfortunate and well-documented run-in with a "boy in blue", I must say I can hardly blame him if he bears a grudge.

Independent

"There is one judge who bears a grudge against me," Conte said Thursday after his appeal was rejected by an FIGC tribunal.

The New York Times - Sports

Mr Scott, who had to put up with every kind of slight from Mr Brown's Treasury for six years, bears a grudge.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

40 human-written examples

Anyway, I bear a grudge.

The New Yorker

I didn't bear a grudge, though.

Independent

Solzhenitsyn might bear a grudge, but Amis?

The New Yorker

You don't bear a grudge.

The New York Times

But John never bore a grudge.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "bears a grudge" to depict a sustained and active feeling of resentment, rather than a fleeting moment of anger.

Common error

Avoid using "bears a grudge" to describe a temporary feeling of annoyance. This phrase implies a long-lasting resentment, so ensure it accurately reflects the enduring nature of the negative emotion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "bears a grudge" functions as a verb phrase, specifically a predicate, indicating that the subject is experiencing and maintaining resentment. Ludwig's examples show it is used to describe a lasting negative feeling towards someone or something.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Lifestyle

10%

Sports

5%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "bears a grudge" is a common and grammatically correct way to express that someone holds onto resentment or bitterness. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is well-established in written English and is used in a variety of contexts, especially in News & Media. While "bears a grudge" implies a lasting negative emotion, related phrases like "holds a resentment" or "harbors ill will" offer alternative ways to convey similar sentiments with slightly different nuances. When using the phrase, ensure that the context clearly identifies the object or person against whom the grudge is held.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

holds a resentment

Replaces "grudge" with "resentment" maintaining a similar negative feeling.

harbors ill will

Uses more formal language to convey the feeling of animosity.

nurses a grievance

Emphasizes the act of carefully maintaining a complaint or wrong.

remains bitter

Focuses on the lingering feeling of bitterness after an offense.

retains animosity

Highlights the retention of hostile feelings towards someone or something.

has a long memory

Suggests that the person remembers offenses and is likely to retaliate.

has not forgiven

Directly states the lack of forgiveness for a past action.

is unforgiving

Describes a general characteristic of not being able to forgive.

carries a chip on their shoulder

Idiomatic expression indicating a general attitude of resentment or bitterness.

has a bone to pick

Indicates a desire to confront someone about a perceived wrong.

FAQs

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

You can use "bears a grudge" to describe someone who holds onto resentment. For example: "Even after many years, he still "bears a grudge" against his former colleague."

What are some alternatives to "bears a grudge"?

Alternatives include "holds a resentment", "harbors ill will", or "nurses a grievance", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it more common to say "bear a grudge" or "bears a grudge"?

"Bear a grudge" is the infinitive form, while "bears a grudge" is used when the subject is a singular noun or pronoun (he, she, it). For example, "He "bears a grudge"" is correct, whereas "They "bear a grudge"" is correct.

What's the difference between "bears a grudge" and "is angry"?

"Is angry" describes a current emotional state, whereas ""bears a grudge"" implies a long-lasting resentment that may not always be outwardly expressed. "Bears a grudge" suggests a deeper, more sustained feeling of bitterness.