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

Some took issue with Reformation’s lack of acknowledgement for the garment. —Rhea Mogul, CNN Money, 24 July 2025

The National Job Corps Association took issue with some findings in the report, arguing in a statement that enrollment dropped significantly during the COVID-19 pandemic, which skewed cost-per-pupil figures. —Janhavi Munde, Hartford Courant, 18 July 2025

Sarah Spain, a sports media personality, took issue with Shane Gillis cracking jokes about female athletes during the ESPY Awards on Wednesday night. —Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 17 July 2025

But as the Man of Steel lands in theaters with a new reboot this weekend, some conservative critics are taking issue with the superhero saga being framed as an immigrant's story. —Angela Yang, NBC news, 10 July 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1623, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for take issue

• reissue