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

Leslie took issue with a recent stunt Kennedy had pulled at the hospital, which involved making a surprise appearance for a ribbon-cutting ceremony to open his signature vaccine injury clinic. — Beth Mole, ArsTechnica, 23 Oct. 2026

Hartford Mayor Arunan Arulampalam also took issue with McMahon’s comments. — Theo Peck-Suzuki, Hartford Courant, 22 Oct. 2026

Many analysts would also take issue with finding no correlation between Ukrainian strikes on Russian refineries and global diesel prices. — Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 16 Oct. 2026

The woman, now 26, took issue with the handling of the investigation into her allegations and accused the Chicago Public Schools Office of Inspector General of failing to take action for five years, the Chicago Tribune reported. — Adam Harrington, CBS News, 15 Oct. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1623, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for take issue

• reissue