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
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.
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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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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
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 2 May. 2025.
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