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

In his lawsuit, Baldoni took issue with the Times receiving a copy of Lively’s complaint before it was filed and allegedly neglecting to investigate her allegations. —Winston Cho, The Hollywood Reporter, 28 Feb. 2025

However, most voters took issue with how the negotiations have gone down and with some of the terms that Trump officials have discussed. —Brendan Rascius, Miami Herald, 25 Feb. 2025

Bivol 2 Results: Full Fight Card Results And Reactions The boxing community reacted to the results, and most took issue with judge Steve Gray’s 119-110 score. —Brian Mazique, Forbes, 22 Feb. 2025

The 22-year-old took issue with that framing of her paycheck. —Nicolas Vega, CNBC, 19 Feb. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1623, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for take issue

• reissue