Throw somebody a bone
verb
To give someone a small or insignificant consolation or reward.
After working all day, my boss threw me a bone by letting me leave half an hour early
Often appears as...
- throw a bone to
- receive a bone
Usage tips
Informal
Idiomatic
verb
To give someone a small or insignificant consolation or reward.
After working all day, my boss threw me a bone by letting me leave half an hour early
Often appears as...
- throw a bone to
- receive a bone
Usage tips
Informal
Idiomatic
Definition 1 of 1
Pro Tip 1/3Small Reward
It means giving a small token of appreciation, often when more is desired or expected.
After the team's hard work, the manager threw them a bone with a pizza lunch.
Pro Tip 2/3Not Literal
The phrase is metaphorical and does not involve real bones.
To keep the interns motivated, the company occasionally throws them a bone like a shout-out at meetings.
Pro Tip 3/3Possibly Patronizing
It can sometimes suggest that the reward is insignificant and may not be received positively.
The year-end bonus felt like the CEO was just throwing the employees a bone.
Pro Tip 1/3Small Reward
It means giving a small token of appreciation, often when more is desired or expected.
After the team's hard work, the manager threw them a bone with a pizza lunch.
Pro Tip 2/3Not Literal
The phrase is metaphorical and does not involve real bones.
To keep the interns motivated, the company occasionally throws them a bone like a shout-out at meetings.
Pro Tip 3/3Possibly Patronizing
It can sometimes suggest that the reward is insignificant and may not be received positively.
The year-end bonus felt like the CEO was just throwing the employees a bone.
Pro Tip 1/3Small Reward
It means giving a small token of appreciation, often when more is desired or expected.
After the team's hard work, the manager threw them a bone with a pizza lunch.
Pro Tip 2/3Not Literal
The phrase is metaphorical and does not involve real bones.
To keep the interns motivated, the company occasionally throws them a bone like a shout-out at meetings.
Pro Tip 3/3Possibly Patronizing
It can sometimes suggest that the reward is insignificant and may not be received positively.
The year-end bonus felt like the CEO was just throwing the employees a bone.
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