Sl. to make a list of wrongdoers. (Often figuratively, referring to a schoolteacher making a list of the names of misbehaving students to be sent to the principal.) The boss is madder than hell, and he's taking names. Gary is coming by to talk about the little riot last night, and I think he's taking names.
tv. to make a list of wrongdoers. (Often figuratively, as with a schoolteacher, whose major weapon is to take names and send them to the principal.) The boss is madder than hell, and he’s taking names.