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

Koen also took issue with the coalition’s financial record-keeping and said its rental assistance program is redundant to West Valley Community Services’ program. — Nollyanne Delacruz, Mercury News, 11 Aug. 2026

Thorndike took issue with the positive description of McLean during Sprague's questioning of Lindsay Clancy's ex-husband Patrick. — Matt Schooley, CBS News, 11 Aug. 2026

On Instagram, most of the commenters were excited about the collab, but some took issue with the studio opting to use AI in their promotional material. — Jack Dunn, Variety, 8 Aug. 2026

The lawsuit takes issue with the city’s publishing of a property tax roll with nearly 1 million properties — some of which, the Department of Finance noted, could be subject to the tax. — Josephine Stratman, New York Daily News, 7 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1623, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for take issue

• reissue