grudge
B2Formal to Neutral
Definition
Meaning
A persistent feeling of resentment or ill will towards someone, often because of a past insult, injury, or unfairness.
Can also refer to the act of holding such resentment, or the state of being unwilling to give, allow, or concede something (e.g., bearing a grudge, grudging acceptance).
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
A grudge implies a lasting, deep-seated resentment that is often nursed privately. It is stronger and more enduring than simple annoyance and often involves a specific past incident.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Usage is nearly identical. The noun 'grudge' is standard in both. The phrasal verb 'bear a grudge' is slightly more common in UK English, while 'hold a grudge' is dominant in US English, though both are understood.
Connotations
Identical.
Frequency
Slightly more frequent in US English according to corpus data.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
bear/hold a grudge against [PERSON] for [ACTION/INCIDENT]grudge (verb) [PERSON] [OBJECT]do something without (a) grudgeVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “bear/owe someone a grudge”
- “grudge match (a contest fueled by rivalry)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rarely used formally; may appear in discussions of workplace conflict or negotiations: 'The merger failed due to a long-standing grudge between the CEOs.'
Academic
Used in psychology, sociology, and literature to describe persistent interpersonal or intergroup conflict.
Everyday
Common in personal contexts to describe unresolved interpersonal conflict: 'She still holds a grudge because I forgot her birthday.'
Technical
Not technical.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- I don't grudge him his success, but I wish he'd be more gracious about it.
- She grudgingly admitted she was wrong.
American English
- No one grudges you a day off after all that hard work.
- He grudged every penny spent on the repair.
adverb
British English
- He admitted, grudgingly, that the plan might work.
- She handed over the keys grudgingly.
American English
- The team grudgingly accepted the new rules.
- He agreed, but only grudgingly.
adjective
British English
- She gave a grudging apology.
- There was grudging respect between the rivals.
American English
- He received grudging praise from his critics.
- They offered a grudging compromise.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- My brother has a grudge against me.
- She doesn't hold a grudge.
- It's not healthy to bear a grudge for so long.
- I think he still harbours a grudge about the argument.
- Their bitter grudge dates back to a dispute over property years ago.
- He bore a deep-seated grudge against the company that fired him.
- The political factions nursed their grudges, making coalition-building impossible.
- She conceded defeat without a trace of grudge, displaying remarkable sportsmanship.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a GRUmpy JUDGE: a judge who is permanently angry and resentful about a past case.
Conceptual Metaphor
A GRUDGE IS A POSSESSION (bear, hold, carry), A GRUDGE IS A BURDEN, A GRUDGE IS A WOUND (nurse).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'обида' (a one-time offence/insult) – a grudge is the lasting feeling. Closer to 'злопамятство' or 'затаить злобу'. The verb 'to grudge' (скупиться, давать неохотно) is a different, less common meaning.
Common Mistakes
- Incorrect: 'I have a grudge *to* him.' Correct: 'I have a grudge *against* him.'
- Overusing as a synonym for mild annoyance.
Practice
Quiz
Which phrase is a CORRECT and common collocation?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
'Grudge' is more specific, implying a resentment focused on a particular person and incident, often nursed over time. 'Resentment' is a broader, more general feeling of displeasure.
Yes. As a verb, it means 'to be resentfully unwilling to give, grant, or allow (something).' Example: 'He grudged paying so much for a mediocre meal.' This usage is less common than the noun.
Yes, it carries a negative connotation, suggesting someone is consciously keeping a resentment alive, often seen as unhealthy or petty.
A contest (especially in sports or competition) between two parties who have a history of rivalry and ill will, adding extra intensity to the event.