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

Despite the bill’s broad bipartisan support, some Republicans took issue with the strategy deployed by backers to push the bill through the lower chamber. —Aris Folley, The Hill, 1 Dec. 2024

Hailey wasn't the only one who took issue with the pop star list. —Matt Robison, Newsweek, 21 Nov. 2024

The unions took issue with that, filing the labor complaint and lawsuit that same month, accusing the county of violating deputies’ 4th and 5th Amendment rights as well as their privacy rights outlined in the California Constitution. —Keri Blakinger, Los Angeles Times, 21 Nov. 2024

Series creator Sam Levinson has been one of Hollywood’s favorite subjects of gossip since the HBO drama premiered in 2019; there are rumors of his feuds with actors and dysfunction as a director, while many take issue with his explicit depictions of teen characters’ bodies on-screen. —Selome Hailu, Variety, 20 Nov. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1623, in the meaning defined above