Do you remember a time when someone held onto a tiny misunderstanding far longer than you thought they would? Moments like that show how a simple conflict can stretch into something surprisingly heavy. In this post, we’ll dig into the meaning, origin, and examples of the idiom carry a grudge so you can use it confidently—and maybe drop a few grudges of your own.
Meaning of “Carry a Grudge”
To carry a grudge means holding onto anger, resentment, or negative feelings toward someone for a long period of time.
Expanded meanings:
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Staying upset about something long after the situation passed.
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Refusing to forgive someone for a past wrong, whether big or small.
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Letting old resentment influence future behavior or interactions.
One-sentence summary:
“Carry a grudge” describes the act of holding onto old resentment instead of letting it go.
Origin of “Carry a Grudge”
The idiom comes from the older word grutch, used in Middle English around the 13th–14th century. Grutch referred to complaining, murmuring, or expressing discontent. Over time, the word evolved into grudge, which took on the meaning of long-lasting resentment.
The phrase carry a grudge likely developed in the 19th century as English speakers began using physical metaphors to describe emotional states, such as “carry guilt” or “carry a burden.” The idea is simple: resentment feels like a weight you physically lug around.
Even though the exact moment the idiom solidified isn’t fully documented, linguists agree that it emerged from the metaphor of emotions as burdens people literally “carry.”
Examples in Sentences
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Despite their disagreement last year, Maria refuses to carry a grudge and stays friendly with everyone.
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The committee warned that carrying a grudge against past leadership could affect future decisions.
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Jake carries a grudge for months after even the smallest slight.
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Instead of carrying a grudge, the manager addressed the issue directly and moved on.
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My cousin still carries a grudge about a borrowed hoodie from middle school—no joke.
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Business negotiations fell apart because both parties carried grudges from earlier disputes.
Similar Idioms or Phrases
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Hold a grudge – The more common cousin of our idiom; means the same thing: keeping resentment.
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Let bygones be bygones – Encourages forgiveness and leaving the past behind.
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Rub someone the wrong way – Not exactly the same, but describes irritation that can lead to grudges.
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Bury the hatchet – To make peace and end hostility.
For me, the idiom “carry a grudge” paints such a vivid picture that it’s practically a reminder not to do exactly that. Life feels lighter when I drop emotional baggage instead of hauling it around. The idiom’s physical imagery always nudges me toward letting things go sooner.
The expression carry a grudge captures the tiring act of dragging old resentment through life. You learned its meaning, origins, and several helpful sentence examples, plus similar idioms that express forgiveness or frustration. If you enjoyed this breakdown, stick around for more fun and friendly idiom explanations—your vocabulary deserves it!