take exception

idiomatic phrase

: to object to something : to feel or express disagreement with or opposition to something

Domi squirted water at fans from the penalty box and a fan took exception.

—Gregory Strong

While her original tweet was quickly deleted, it was still spotted by other former Ulster University graduates who took exception.

—Mark Bain

—usually used with to

She took exception to the remark.

Many physicists who read this book will take exception to Capra's views on contemporary physics.

—Robert March

Examples of take exception in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

So quickly did the game turn into a rout that the closest thing to real drama came when Atkinson seemed to take exception to Dort celebrating a 3-pointer that put the Thunder up by 36 midway through the third. —John Hollinger, The Athletic, 17 Jan. 2025

Green subsequently took exception to Rozier's retaliation. —Paul Du Quenoy, Newsweek, 31 Dec. 2024

When a reporter suggested Shanahan has an apparent disregard for that unit, Shanahan took exception. —Cam Inman, The Mercury News, 8 Jan. 2025

Biggs took exception to the monthly $1,223 lease amount, saying over $70,000 over five years seemed excessive. —Shelley Jones, Chicago Tribune, 7 Jan. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1542, in the meaning defined above