taking to task
phrase
1
as in criticizing
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
- criticizing
- blaming
- faulting
- condemning
- knocking
- denouncing
- coming down hard (on)
- attacking
- finding fault (with)
- tweaking
- slamming
- dispraising
- panning
- reprehending
- scolding
- slagging
- kicking
- censuring
- complaining
- slashing
- lashing
- nicking (at)
- dissing
- blasting
- sniping (at)
- muttering
- whining
- admonishing
- murmuring
- grumbling
- assailing
- skewering
- moaning
- bitching
- putting down
- growling
- niggling
- beefing
- gibbeting
- clobbering
- quibbling
- chiding
- discommending
- disparaging
- kvetching
- bellyaching
- griping
- grousing
- carping
- crabbing
- caviling
- berating
- reprimanding
- belittling
- drubbing
- upbraiding
- crucifying
- deriding
- rebuking
- flaying
- excoriating
- cavilling
- pillorying
- reproving
- reproaching
- hammering
- croaking
- keelhauling
- decrying
- lambasting
- fussing
- castigating
- bad-mouthing
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- indorsing
- praising
- endorsing
- approving
- lauding
- recommending
- sanctioning
- extolling
- commending
2
as in scolding
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
- scolding
- bawling out
- lecturing
- chewing out
- calling down
- dressing down
- reprimanding
- laying into
- railing (at or against)
- ranting (at)
- reaming (out)
- criticizing
- reading the riot act (to)
- blaming
- ragging
- berating
- upbraiding
- rating
- attacking
- admonishing
- basting
- flaying
- keelhauling
- mocking
- chastising
- scoring
- jawing
- rebuking
- remonstrating (with)
- lambasting
- faulting
- reproaching
- hammering
- castigating
- tongue-lashing
- lacing (into)
- vituperating
- chiding
- lashing
- putting down
- slamming
- knocking
- disparaging
- reviling
- panning
- reprehending
- crucifying
- assailing
- belittling
- abusing
- haranguing
- condemning
- denouncing
- scourging
- excoriating
- blasting
- reproving
- ridiculing
- censuring
- scoffing
- bad-mouthing
- dissing
- scorning
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- indorsing
- endorsing
- approving
- sanctioning
- praising
- lauding
- extolling