bone of contention

A reference to two dogs fighting over the same bone.

• (Received Pronunciation) IPA^(key): /ˈbəʊn əv kənˈtɛnʃən/
• (US) IPA^(key): /ˈboʊn əv kənˈtɛnʃən/

• Audio (US):

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• Audio (General Australian):

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bone of contention (plural bones of contention)

1. (idiomatic) Something that continues to be disputed; something on which no agreement can be reached.

   It is still a bone of contention whether to go ahead with the original plan in light of the new evidence.

   • 1959 April, C. R. Clinker and R. A. Dane, “The Railways of Peterborough”, in Railway Magazine, page 230:

     The crossing caused serious congestion with long traffic hold-ups, and had been a bone of contention between the local authorities and the railway for over eighty years. It was controlled from Fletton Road Junction Signalbox (removed at the same time) and, until a wheel was installed in 1920, required two gatemen on each turn of duty.

   • 2018 November 18, Phil McNulty, “England 2 - 1 Croatia”, in BBC Sport‎^[1]:

     England's "Football Coming Home" anthem became a serious bone of contention at the World Cup - with Croatia using it as a sign of arrogance from their opponents in the build up to the semi-final.

• apple of discord
• sticking point
• stumbling block