bones of contention
Sources of conflict
Bones of contention are subjects of ongoing dispute or disagreement—issues that people keep arguing about.
The image is of dogs fighting over bones.
A single disputed matter is a bone of contention: Money is always a bone of contention in their marriage.
The plural emphasizes multiple unresolved issues: The treaty left several bones of contention between the two nations.
- issuePoint of contention
- matterSpace-occupying substance with mass
- disagreementAbsence of shared opinion
- pointExact location or meaning
- thorny issueContentious, difficult problem
bone to pick · sticking point · sore spot · conflict · dispute · hot button issue · quarrel · can of worms · apple of discord · friction · elephant in the room · flash point · polarization · argument · war of words · power struggle · powder keg · discord
bones of contentioncommon ground
Points of agreement
agreement · unity · harmony · accord · understanding
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