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

In another critique of the majority opinion, Porter took issue with Restrepo’s directions to Padova. —Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 15 July 2024

Other users took issue with the pins, citing their safety. —Amaris Encinas, USA TODAY, 13 July 2024

Harford schools cannot change the nature or content of the course, which irked five of the board’s nine members, who took issue with the content. . —Matt Hubbard, Baltimore Sun, 25 June 2024

Another zoo neighbor, Paula Smith, took issue with zoo visitors needing to cross Gary Avenue, even once a stoplight and crosswalk are installed. —Bob Goldsborough, Chicago Tribune, 5 July 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1623, in the meaning defined above