If you want to impress people with your fantastic English, then ‘hold a grudge’ is a great phrase to add to your vocabulary bank!
Watch the ‘hold a grudge’ video below to find out how to use it in a natural way:
What does it mean?
It’s a way of describing how you can’t let go of anger after an argument or after an upsetting situation. It usually refers to something that happened a while ago and might be trivial even, but you can’t quite forgive and forget. You hold a grudge against that person/those people who upset you.
How can I use ‘hold a grudge’ in a conversation?
Perhaps when you were a child, your parents took your sister on an amazing holiday but didn’t take you because you had exams at school. Everybody else has forgotten but you still remember and still feel a bit angry that you missed out on that holiday. You’re holding a grudge against your parents. Your sister says to you:
I can’t believe you’re still holding a grudge about that! It was years ago and Mum and Dad just wanted you to pass your exams!
Or perhaps you really liked somebody at school but then your best friend started dating that person. It was a long time ago and everybody has broken up and moved on but you still can’t forget that your best friend would do that to you. You still hold a grudge about it. Your friend finds out and says to you:
I’m so sorry. I didn’t even know you liked her! Have you really been holding a grudge all these years?!
And often people use it in this way:
I’m not the kind of person to hold a grudge. I just forgive and forget! It’s not healthy to hold grudges, it makes you old and bitter!
Can you see how it works in everyday conversation?
English writing challenge
Think about these questions: Do you agree that if you hold a grudge it can make you bitter? Are you the type of person to hold grudges or do you always forgive and forget? Is there anything from your childhood you are still holding a grudge about?
Answer 1 of these questions (in English!) in my comments section below 👇😊
10 Responses
In answer to your questions, I don’t think it is healthy to hold a grudge. It is better to speak about any problems and forgive, then move on with your life. That’s my opinion.
I totally agree Marie, although that’s sometimes easier said than done! Thank you for sharing your thoughts! 🙂
I totally agree that if we hold a grudge, it can make us bitter. I’m not the type of person to hold grudges and I always forgive and forget because it such a kind of metal impurities.So we shouldn’t think about the bad things that we couldn’t change in our past. 🤗
Beautifully said Thiri and you’ve got some lovely collocations in your writing too!
I completely agree about forgiving and forgetting (although sometimes it’s easier said than done!) 🥰
“HOLD GRUDGE” for me yes it can since you always think about that person who heart you this hard grudge can make lose yourself and having a psychic problems
I am the most girl in my family that i have white heart that means i can’t be hold grudge to anyone i forgive and I forget , Also forgiveness considered as you have behaviors deosn’t make you weak person like others think
I agree Kaoutar. Forgiving doesn’t make you weak, if fact sometimes you need to be really strong to forgive!
I love the idea of ‘a white heart’.
Thanks for sharing your view with us 🙂
If I’ve got a problem and I’m sure I’m right I prefer to say immediately what I think.
After that, I stop thinking about it and I forgive all to all. Let other people think about the situation. I don’t want to hold a grudge.
Yes, I forgive but I don’t want to make me fool.
I see what you mean Kalinka. It’s good to get your thoughts/emotions out and then move on.
I’m the same way!
Hi Nicki,
Holding a grudge is quite bad for morale. It would better to be positive so as to go ahead.
I agree Eric. Holding a grudge can definitely affect your mood. You sound like a positive person!
Thanks for sharing your thoughts with us 😊