To carry a grudge
Meaning
To harbor feelings of resentment or bitterness towards someone for a past offense, often for an extended period.
Origin
The word "grudge" itself crept into English from the Old French 'grouchier' in the late 15th century, originally meaning "to grumble" or "to murmur discontentedly." It spoke of a low, barely audible complaint, a simmering resentment just beneath the surface. By the 17th century, this quiet grumbling had hardened into a more specific sense of deep-seated ill will or animosity. The act of 'carrying' joined it, conjuring a vivid image of a person physically bearing a heavy, invisible weight—a burden of unresolved anger and bitterness that they simply couldn't, or wouldn't, put down. This potent combination transformed a quiet complaint into a persistent, enduring state of animosity, a personal cross one chose to bear.
Examples
- Even after all these years, she still seems to carry a grudge against her old roommate for borrowing her dress without asking.
- It's unhealthy to carry a grudge; sometimes it's better to forgive and move on for your own peace of mind.