have a bone in one's leg

English

Verb

have a bone in one's leg (third-person singular simple present has a bone in one's leg, present participle having a bone in one's leg, simple past and past participle had a bone in one's leg)

1. (British, informal) Used as a fatuous excuse to avoid doing something.

   "Jimmy, run along to the shop and get some potatoes." / "I can't: I've got a bone in my leg."