take issue

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

These critiques were amplified by Black content creators and the general social media audience, who took issue with the genre’s Eurocentric portrayal of knowledge and intellectualism. — Sophia Zhang, Encyclopedia Britannica, 7 July 2026

Mayor Dean Trantalis, Commissioner Steven Glassman and Commissioner John Herbst took issue with her leadership, accusing her of being dismissive to subordinates and ruffling too many feathers. — Amanda Rosa, Miami Herald, 3 July 2026

The music superstar took issue with some of Rogen's Lion King interviews. — Derek Lawrence, Entertainment Weekly, 1 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1623, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for take issue

• reissue