In 15 Seconds
- To hold a grudge or resentment against a specific person.
- Literally 'to have a tooth against' someone.
- Used for long-term annoyance rather than temporary anger.
Meaning
It means you have a grudge or a bone to pick with someone. You aren't just annoyed; you are holding onto a specific resentment against them.
Key Examples
3 of 6Explaining why you won't invite someone
Je n'invite pas Marc, j'ai une dent contre lui depuis l'année dernière.
I'm not inviting Marc; I've had a grudge against him since last year.
Warning a new colleague about the boss
Fais attention, le patron a une dent contre les retardataires.
Be careful, the boss has a grudge against people who are late.
Texting a friend about a drama
Elle a encore une dent contre moi pour l'histoire du gâteau ?
Is she still holding a grudge against me over the cake thing?
Cultural Background
En France, avoir une dent contre quelqu'un est souvent lié à la notion de 'rancune'. C'est un sentiment qui peut durer très longtemps dans les relations sociales ou professionnelles. Au Québec, l'expression est utilisée de la même manière qu'en France. Elle est très courante dans le langage familier pour exprimer un mécontentement durable. Les Belges francophones utilisent également cette expression. Elle fait partie du socle commun des expressions idiomatiques de la francophonie européenne. Dans de nombreux pays d'Afrique francophone, l'expression est comprise et utilisée, bien que des expressions locales imagées puissent parfois la concurrencer.
Use with Pronouns
It's very common to use this with 'lui' or 'elle'. Example: 'Il a une dent contre elle.'
Don't pluralize
Even if you are very angry, stay with 'une dent'. 'Avoir des dents contre' is much less common.
In 15 Seconds
- To hold a grudge or resentment against a specific person.
- Literally 'to have a tooth against' someone.
- Used for long-term annoyance rather than temporary anger.
What It Means
Imagine you are carrying a tiny, sharp tooth in your pocket. Every time you see a certain person, that tooth pokes you. That is avoir une dent contre someone. It means you are holding a grudge. You haven't forgiven them for something they did. It is more specific than just being angry. It implies a history of resentment. You are keeping score, and they are losing.
How To Use It
The grammar is very straightforward. You use the verb avoir (to have). Then you add une dent contre (a tooth against). Finally, name the person you are upset with. For example, J'ai une dent contre Julie. You can also use pronouns like lui or eux. It functions just like saying 'I have a grudge against' in English. Just remember, in French, it is always a 'tooth,' never a 'bone.'
When To Use It
Use this when a friend asks why you aren't talking to Paul. It is perfect for explaining office politics. Use it when someone brings up an ex-partner who treated you badly. It works well in casual chats over coffee. You can use it to warn a friend about a grumpy neighbor. It is great for venting about that one person who never pays you back.
When NOT To Use It
Don't use this for general bad moods. If you are just tired, you don't have a tooth against the world. Avoid it in very high-level professional documents. It is a bit too colorful for a legal contract. Don't use it for inanimate objects. You don't have a tooth against your broken computer. That would just be weird. Also, don't use it for minor, fleeting annoyances that you'll forget in five minutes.
Cultural Background
This expression dates back to the 14th century. Back then, teeth were seen as tools for attack or defense. Think of an animal baring its teeth before biting. To 'have a tooth' against someone meant you were ready to bite them. Over time, the physical bite disappeared. Now, only the psychological 'bite' of resentment remains. It is a classic French way of expressing long-term dissatisfaction.
Common Variations
Sometimes you might hear avoir la dent dure. This means being very critical or harsh with your words. It is like having a 'hard tooth' that bites deeply. Another one is montrer les dents. This means to show your teeth, or to threaten someone. If your grudge is really old, you might have une vieille dent. This implies the resentment has been aging like a bad cheese.
Usage Notes
This is a neutral-to-informal idiom. It is perfect for spoken French and informal writing. Avoid it in formal academic essays or legal contexts.
Use with Pronouns
It's very common to use this with 'lui' or 'elle'. Example: 'Il a une dent contre elle.'
Don't pluralize
Even if you are very angry, stay with 'une dent'. 'Avoir des dents contre' is much less common.
Softening the blow
Add 'un peu' to make it less aggressive: 'Il a un peu une dent contre moi.'
Examples
6Je n'invite pas Marc, j'ai une dent contre lui depuis l'année dernière.
I'm not inviting Marc; I've had a grudge against him since last year.
Shows the grudge is based on a past event.
Fais attention, le patron a une dent contre les retardataires.
Be careful, the boss has a grudge against people who are late.
Used here to describe a general pet peeve or bias.
Elle a encore une dent contre moi pour l'histoire du gâteau ?
Is she still holding a grudge against me over the cake thing?
Very common in informal social circles.
Mon chat a vraiment une dent contre le facteur.
My cat really has it out for the mailman.
Using a human idiom for an animal adds humor.
Mon père a toujours eu une dent contre son frère.
My father has always held a grudge against his brother.
Reflects deep-seated, long-term family tension.
L'équipe locale a une dent contre ses rivaux depuis la finale perdue.
The local team has had a bone to pick with their rivals since the lost final.
Fits perfectly for competitive contexts.
Test Yourself
Complétez la phrase avec les mots corrects.
Depuis qu'il a perdu le match, il a une ___ contre l'arbitre.
L'expression correcte est 'avoir une dent contre'.
Quelle phrase signifie 'He holds a grudge against his neighbor'?
Choisissez la bonne traduction.
On utilise le verbe 'avoir', l'article 'une' et la préposition 'contre'.
Associez la situation à l'expression.
Julie ne parle plus à Pierre parce qu'il a oublié son anniversaire il y a deux ans.
Julie garde de la rancune pour un événement passé, donc elle a une dent contre lui.
Complétez le dialogue.
A: Pourquoi Luc est-il si méchant avec toi ? B: Je ne sais pas, il doit ___ contre moi.
Dans ce contexte, Luc semble avoir un problème personnel avec l'autre personne.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Practice Bank
4 exercisesDepuis qu'il a perdu le match, il a une ___ contre l'arbitre.
L'expression correcte est 'avoir une dent contre'.
Choisissez la bonne traduction.
On utilise le verbe 'avoir', l'article 'une' et la préposition 'contre'.
Julie ne parle plus à Pierre parce qu'il a oublié son anniversaire il y a deux ans.
Julie garde de la rancune pour un événement passé, donc elle a une dent contre lui.
A: Pourquoi Luc est-il si méchant avec toi ? B: Je ne sais pas, il doit ___ contre moi.
Dans ce contexte, Luc semble avoir un problème personnel avec l'autre personne.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsIt can be, but it's mostly used to describe a situation rather than to attack someone directly.
Yes, you can have a 'dent' against an organization or a group.
'En vouloir à' is more common for general anger; 'avoir une dent' implies a long-term grudge.
No, it's informal to neutral. Avoid it in very formal letters.
Use the negative: 'Je n'ai pas de dent contre toi.'
Yes: 'J'avais une dent contre lui' (I used to have a grudge).
Metaphorically, yes! But don't actually bite anyone.
Very common in dramas and comedies involving conflict.
No, 'contre' is the only correct preposition.
You can say 'avoir une dent contre tout le monde'.
Related Phrases
en vouloir à quelqu'un
synonymTo be angry with or resent someone.
avoir la dent dure
similarTo be very critical or harsh.
garder rancune
synonymTo hold a grudge.
être en froid avec
relatedTo be on bad terms with someone.
