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3. throw a bone to (someone)

throw a bone to (someone)

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throw a bone to (someone)

To attempt to appease or placate someone by giving them something trivial or of minor importance, or by doing some small favor for them. (A reference to giving an animal a bone or scrap from a bigger portion of food.) The city council has decided to throw a bone to local building companies and will be releasing small amounts of public space to commercial development.

See also: bone, throw