take issue

idiomatic phrase

: to adopt or express an opposed or contrary view or position : disagree

Though a barbecuing Southerner may take issue, Texas-style and Korean barbecue have much in common.

—Anito Lo

—usually used with with

She took issue with the conclusions reached by the study.

Carolyn Nichols, an editor at Bantam, took issue with the notion that romance fiction is escapist.

—Charles Trueheart

Despite the proliferation of all means of communications, from magazines to computers, books remain our chief medium for the full expression of ideas, and for taking issue with those of others.

—Robert R. Harris

Examples of take issue in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Arlington Heights homeowners have taken issue with the lack of clarity, raising specific concerns about how much traffic new development will generate and how tall the site’s buildings may climb. —Jaime Moore-Carrillo, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 26 Mar. 2025

Meanwhile, others have taken issue with the casting of two Australian actors as the leads in the adaptation of a book synonymous with the dreary, gothic English countryside. —Marni Rose McFall, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Mar. 2025

According to MediaPost, the appeals court took issue with Apple's sluggishness in choosing sides. —Ars Technica, 25 Mar. 2025

But lately, Dolan and his Knicks have taken issue, publicly and privately, with the NBA and its commissioner, Adam Silver. —Mike Vorkunov, The Athletic, 25 Mar. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1623, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for take issue

• reissue