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

An appeal filed Monday, July 7, takes issue with four factors from Paul Flores’ 2022 trial, which resulted in a sentence of 25 years to life for murder. —Bay Area News Group, Mercury News, 9 July 2025

Other faces of the WNBA have also taken issue with the league’s officials this season, including Sparks guard Kelsey Plum and Fever coach Stephanie White. —Bennett Conlin, Baltimore Sun, 7 July 2025

In recent years, many prominent Democratic figures have been frustrated by the Times, taking issue with the editorial sensibilities of a paper that many of their supporters consume religiously. —Max Tani, semafor.com, 7 July 2025

Democratic Senators Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota and Brian Schatz of Hawaii have taken issue with the legislation. —Aliss Higham, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 July 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1623, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for take issue

• reissue