nurse a grudge

USAGE SUMMARY

"nurse a grudge" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It means to hold onto anger or resentment towards someone or something. Example: Despite their past conflicts, Jane couldn't seem to let go of the grudge she was nursing against her former best friend.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

– on ITV, Trump again signalled his eagerness to nurse a grudge against Cameron and the London mayor, Sadiq Khan, who called him "ignorant".

The Guardian

Another difficulty has been convincing school administrators whose first impulse is often to expel students who have made threats, even empty ones, that doing so only pushes the problem onto another school or leaves a child at home with free time to surf the Internet and nurse a grudge against the school.

The New York Times

They will also nurse a grudge on a truly baffling decision in the 69th minute, when NY sub Ronald Zubar scythed down Markus Halsti and received only a yellow card.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

I call that nursing a grudge.

The New York Times

"Drunken Waistcoat was also nursing a grudge," wrote Caitlin.

The Guardian - Film

Then the others stopped working for cucumbers and started nursing a grudge.

The New York Times - Science

Who on earth in the whole of Great Britain still nurses a grudge against the Easter Rising?

The Guardian - Arts

He was brilliant, he was charming, he was treacherous; fortunately, Adams was incapable of nursing a grudge, and while seeing through Jefferson accepted his foibles.

The Economist

It's a hard thing to do, Mr. Mathews said, "especially if you are an aggrieved person nursing a grudge".

The New York Times

My advice to the restaurant is to imagine Jack himself sitting at a booth, fully armed and nursing a grudge.

The New York Times - Food

Some said she was nursing a grudge because close friends had lost jobs in the mayor's shake-up of the schools' bureaucracy.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "nurse a grudge" to vividly describe someone who is not just angry, but actively cherishing and maintaining their resentment over time. It suggests a deliberate choice to hold onto negative feelings.

Common error

Avoid using "nurse a grudge" to describe momentary anger or frustration. The phrase implies a sustained and deliberate act of holding onto resentment, not a passing emotion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "nurse a grudge" functions as a verb phrase, specifically an idiomatic expression. It describes the action of harboring and maintaining resentment or bitterness towards someone or something. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and common usage.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "nurse a grudge" is a grammatically sound and accepted idiomatic expression that effectively conveys the act of harboring and maintaining resentment. Ludwig AI indicates its correctness and general usage, although it is not extremely common. Primarily found in News & Media contexts, it paints a vivid picture of someone deliberately holding onto negative feelings, as opposed to simply experiencing fleeting anger. Understanding its nuances helps writers use it appropriately, avoiding confusion with temporary frustration and instead highlighting sustained ill will. The related phrases provide alternative ways to express similar sentiments, and the writing guidance offers practical advice for effective usage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

bear a grudge

A more direct synonym, focusing on the act of holding a grudge.

harbor resentment

Focuses on the feeling of resentment being kept inside.

hold a grievance

Emphasizes the feeling of having been wronged.

maintain animosity

Focuses on continuing to feel animosity.

cling to bitterness

Highlights the emotional state of bitterness and the act of holding on to it.

hold onto animosity

Emphasizes the act of maintaining feelings of animosity.

foster animosity

Suggests actively encouraging feelings of hostility.

cultivate resentment

Implies a deliberate and ongoing effort to maintain resentment.

feed one's resentment

Suggests actively fueling the feeling of resentment.

stew over a slight

Highlights ruminating over a perceived insult or offense.

FAQs

What does it mean to "nurse a grudge"?

To "nurse a grudge" means to hold onto a feeling of resentment or bitterness towards someone for something they have done. It implies a sustained and deliberate effort to maintain negative feelings.

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

You can use "nurse a grudge" to describe someone who is actively maintaining their resentment. For example, "Despite years passing, he continued to nurse a grudge against his former business partner."

What are some alternatives to saying "nurse a grudge"?

You can use alternatives like "harbor resentment", "bear a grudge", or "hold a grievance" to express similar sentiments of holding onto ill will.

Is it better to "nurse a grudge" or to forgive and forget?

Generally, it's considered healthier to forgive and forget rather than "nurse a grudge", as holding onto resentment can be detrimental to one's mental and emotional well-being.