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- take to task
take to task
take someone to task
to scold or reprimand someone. The teacher took John to task for his bad behavior. I lost a big contract, and the boss took me to task in front of everyone.
take somebody to task
also take to task somebody to criticize someone We have gotten many letters that take us to task for including swear words in the dictionary. The article takes to task those movie stars who look like they just rolled out of bed.
take somebody to task
to criticize someone angrily for something that they have done (often + for ) She took my father to task for getting drunk at my cousin's wedding.
take to task
Upbraid, scold; blame or censure. For example, The teacher took Doris to task for turning in such a sloppy report. This term, dating from the mid-1700s, at first meant either assigning or challenging someone to a task. Its current sense dates from the late 1800s.