holding a grudge

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "holding a grudge" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is usually used to describe a person that is still angry with another person or group for something they did in the past. For example: After their argument, Sarah stopped speaking to John and started holding a grudge against him.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Mother Nature's holding a grudge.

The Washington Post

"I've been holding a grudge," he said.

The New Yorker

It could be somebody holding a grudge".

The New York Times

"Holding a grudge for 100 years is nothing.

The New York Times

"Eleven years go by, holding a grudge," he said.

The New York Times - Sports

Unfortunately, Darryl Strawberry was also holding a grudge.

The New York Times - Sports

But Sprewell is not holding a grudge against Chaney.

The New York Times - Sports

Being unforgiving consisted of rehearsing the hurt and holding a grudge.

University of California, Berkeley

Yet you don't get the feeling like she's holding a grudge".

The New York Times

Writing in Psychological Science, these investigators reported a study on the physiological effects of forgiveness versus holding a grudge.

University of California, Berkeley

I, for one, am guilty of holding a grudge and spending valuable time stewing over being wronged.

University of California, Berkeley

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about interpersonal relationships or conflicts, consider using "holding a grudge" to accurately portray sustained resentment and its impact.

Common error

Avoid using "holding a grudge" to describe fleeting moments of anger. This phrase implies a sustained state of resentment, not a passing emotion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "holding a grudge" functions as a verb phrase, typically used as part of a predicate to describe a state of sustained resentment. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Academia

28%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Science

7%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "holding a grudge" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that describes a state of sustained resentment. Ludwig AI validates its correctness and common usage in English. It's important to use this phrase accurately, recognizing that it implies a lingering negative feeling rather than a temporary burst of anger. As the usage analysis shows, it appears most often in News & Media and Academic contexts. Alternatives such as "harboring resentment" or "bearing a grudge" can provide slightly different shades of meaning. Understanding the psychological implications of "holding a grudge" is also important, as it can have detrimental effects on one's mental and physical well-being.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

bearing a grudge

A more formal and slightly less common way to express the same sentiment.

harboring resentment

Emphasizes the internal feeling of bitterness and anger.

nursing a grievance

Suggests a prolonged and careful cultivation of the negative feeling.

remaining bitter

Focuses on the lasting state of resentment.

being unforgiving

Highlights the unwillingness to pardon or excuse someone.

keeping score

Implies a constant tallying of wrongs done.

refusing to forgive

Directly states the act of withholding forgiveness.

dwelling on the past

Focuses on the act of continuously thinking about past wrongs.

clinging to anger

Highlights the act of maintaining angry feelings.

nurturing animosity

Describes actively fostering hostile feelings.

FAQs

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

You can use "holding a grudge" to describe someone who continues to feel resentment towards someone for a past offense. For example, "After their argument, she was "holding a grudge" against him for weeks".

What are some alternatives to "holding a grudge"?

Alternatives include "harboring resentment", "bearing a grudge", or "remaining bitter", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What are the psychological effects of "holding a grudge"?

"Holding a grudge" can lead to increased stress, anxiety, and even physical health problems. It's often more detrimental to the person "holding a grudge" than the person who caused the initial offense.

Is it ever justified to "hold a grudge"?

While it's a natural human emotion to feel anger and resentment, prolonged "holding a grudge" is generally considered unhealthy. Forgiveness, though difficult, is often a more constructive path.