Een appeltje met iemand te schillen hebben

Literally: To have a little apple to peel with someone

Example: “Ik heb nog een appeltje met je te schillen over die gebroken vaas.” — I have a bone to pick with you about that broken vase.

English equivalent: A bone to pick

Origin: Peeling an apple together sounds like a friendly little treat, and that is the joke: Stoett and Onze Taal both read the phrase as ironic, like een eitje met iemand te pellen hebben (to have an egg to peel with someone) and een nootje te kraken hebben (a nut to crack). The 17th century also said "to have an onion to peel" with someone, and German has ein Hühnchen mit jemandem zu rupfen (a chicken to pluck). The claim that it began with the onion, for the tears of a quarrel, is not supported: the apple appears to be older.