take (something) out on (someone)

phrasal verb

took (something) out on (someone); taken (something) out on (someone); taking (something) out on (someone); takes (something) out on (someone)
: to treat someone badly because one feels angry, frustrated, etc.
workers who go home and take out their frustration on their families
I'm sorry you didn't get the job, but don't take it out on me.

Examples of take (something) out on (someone) in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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McDonald and Scott also want to rent out paddle boards, kayaks and other slower-moving craft for people to take out on the water. Sofi Zeman, Kansas City Star, 16 May 2025 To keep active, the hotel offers a fleet of complimentary paddle boards and kayaks to take out on the Charles River; in summer months, sit at the expansive courtyard to play Bocce and listen to local musicians. Shaan Merchant, Condé Nast Traveler, 12 May 2022 In the early 1970s, Begay would take out on the road for weeks at a time. Chadd Scott, Forbes, 17 Apr. 2021 Sergeant Kevin Donoghue said in a news conference Thursday that Rivera and her son rented a boat to take out on Lake Piru in Los Padres National Forest at approximately 1 p.m. local time. CBS News, 10 July 2020

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Cite this Entry

“Take (something) out on (someone).” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/take%20%28something%29%20out%20on%20%28someone%29. Accessed 22 May. 2025.

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