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to throw sb a bone
01
to stop someone from complaining or protesting by offering them something that is not of very high value or importance
What is the origin of the idiom "throw someone a bone" and when to use it?
The idiom "throw someone a bone" likely derives from the practice of tossing a bone to a dog as a way to reward or appease it. The bone serves as a small token of appreciation or distraction, aimed at keeping the dog content or momentarily occupied. It is frequently used in workplaces, group dynamics, and relationships when there's a desire to keep someone content, involved, or satisfied, even if the main situation may not fully meet their expectations or desires.
例
To keep the team motivated, the coach would occasionally throw them a bone by organizing fun team-building activities.
When the team faced a challenging project, the supervisor threw them a bone by offering some extra time off.