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

Others took issue with the vice president’s presence and rhetoric. —Brendan Rascius, Miami Herald, 18 Apr. 2025

Davies slammed audiences who take issue with the diversity of the time travel show, which is currently led by Ncuti Gatwa and Varada Sethu. —Wesley Stenzel, EW.com, 17 Apr. 2025

However, the incident could alienate some potential supporters who take issue with her meeting with the president. —Josh Hammer, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Apr. 2025

West took issue with Carti leaving him off of his album Music while Kendrick Lamar got three features. —Armon Sadler, VIBE.com, 7 Apr. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1623, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for take issue

• reissue