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单词 take to task
释义

take to task

idiomatic phrase

: to call (someone) to account for a shortcoming : to criticize or correct (someone) for some fault or failing
The aunt had quarrelled years before with her brother-in-law, after the death of her sister, taking him to task for the manner in which he brought up his three girls. Henry James
… I … gently took him to task for forgetting my instructions … Agatha Christie
… Lawrence Solan … takes to task the Supreme Court of the United States for its incorrect linguistic analysis in three cases … Bethany K. Dumas
… two board members took group administrators to task for causing undue chaos in a public health crisis. P. C. Robinson

Word History

First Known Use

1740, in the meaning defined above

take to task

phrase

1
as in criticize
to express one's unfavorable opinion of the worth or quality of He took his rival to task during the TV interview.

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance
  • criticize
  • blame
  • fault
  • knock
  • condemn
  • denounce
  • attack
  • come down hard (on)
  • pan
  • find fault (with)
  • dispraise
  • tweak
  • slam
  • scold
  • diss
  • kick
  • censure
  • complain
  • slag
  • slash
  • blast
  • reprehend
  • dis
  • lash
  • bitch
  • admonish
  • snipe (at)
  • discommend
  • skewer
  • whine
  • grumble
  • mutter
  • clobber
  • beef
  • assail
  • nick (at)
  • quibble
  • murmur
  • grouse
  • growl
  • moan
  • niggle
  • disparage
  • crab
  • reprimand
  • chide
  • put down
  • bellyache
  • crucify
  • keelhaul
  • berate
  • cavil
  • rebuke
  • gripe
  • carp
  • deride
  • excoriate
  • upbraid
  • reproach
  • kvetch
  • decry
  • flay
  • hammer
  • croak
  • gibbet
  • belittle
  • lambast
  • pillory
  • reprove
  • fuss
  • castigate
  • drub
  • bad-mouth
  • lambaste

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

  • praise
  • recommend
  • approve
  • commend
  • extoll
  • extol
  • laud
  • sanction
  • endorse
  • indorse
See More
2
as in scold
to criticize (someone) severely or angrily especially for personal failings He took the landscaper to task for once again letting the bushes get overgrown.

Synonyms & Similar Words

  • scold
  • lecture
  • reprimand
  • bawl out
  • call down
  • chew out
  • criticize
  • lay into
  • blame
  • dress down
  • rail (at or against)
  • rant (at)
  • rag
  • rate
  • keelhaul
  • berate
  • admonish
  • attack
  • ream (out)
  • chastise
  • fault
  • upbraid
  • tongue-lash
  • read the riot act (to)
  • rebuke
  • mock
  • flay
  • score
  • lambast
  • jaw
  • reproach
  • hammer
  • lambaste
  • baste
  • castigate
  • remonstrate (with)
  • chide
  • knock
  • pan
  • blast
  • revile
  • abuse
  • disparage
  • crucify
  • slam
  • condemn
  • harangue
  • lash
  • put down
  • excoriate
  • diss
  • scourge
  • denounce
  • assail
  • ridicule
  • censure
  • scoff
  • vituperate
  • reprove
  • belittle
  • bad-mouth
  • reprehend
  • dis
  • lace (into)
  • scorn

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

  • approve
  • sanction
  • endorse
  • praise
  • indorse
  • laud
  • extoll
  • extol
See More
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更新时间:2024/12/23 19:00:53