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Glite Dictionary
to take issue

to take issue

45 6.3
Tell someone you do not agree with a statement or idea
  • phrasal verb
  • /teɪk ˈɪʃu/
translation icon : discrepar con
  • I take issue with that statement.
  • take issue with an argument
  • take issue with a point
  • critics take issue

And I really do take issue with that idea of a God.

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Examples

  • Many employees take issue with the new policy regarding remote work.

  • Mayor Pete took issue with the Democrats, climate change talking points we have all put out.

  • And I really do take issue with that idea of a God.

    Dr. Mayim Bialik

  • I think, you know, you can take issue with how he does it and how he ends up making money from it too.

    Julian Dorey

  • So if people want to comment or if they want to take issue or, or ask a question, I'll try to get back to them.

  • Of greater concern to me, however, was that no managers in the audience took issue with what he said.

    Academic text (1993)

  • It's no wonder that most colonial subjects take issue with the current system.

  • There, I learned that other members of the Ammons family also took issue with the claims they were making.

    Demon House (2019)

  • Unfortunately, like other commenters, I must take issue with your conclusions based on your data.

    Blog text (6)

  • Melanie, a sophomore, took issue with the attendance policy within the BIP.

    Academic text (2008)

Synonyms

to disagree
vsto take issue
∞ 1.0

Have a different opinion from someone

often shows an active objection to a specific statement or viewpoint
to challenge
vsto take issue
  • Formal
552 4.3

To officially say that a decision, person, or evidence is not acceptable

is more about disagreeing to directly confront a particular statement or view
to differ
vsto take issue
104 2.7

To have a different opinion from someone

tends to show an active objection to a stated viewpoint rather than a mere difference
to dissent
vsto take issue
  • Formal
39 6.8

To disagree publicly with an official idea or decision

applies more to ordinary or personal objections rather than formal public refusal

Antonyms

to agree
∞ 1.0

Have the same opinion or say yes

to accept
∞ 1.3

To believe or agree that something is true

How Strongly

to oppose
∞ 2.9
to dispute
158 3.5
to take issue
45 6.3
to question
777 3.5
to disagree
∞ 1.0
to differ
104 2.7

Surface Forms

take issue infinitive
taking issue present participle
takes issue third person singular
took issue past
taken issue past participle

Morphology

take + issue

The parts 'take' (to adopt/assume) and 'issue' (a topic or point) provide a plausible clue — one can interpret 'take issue' as taking a stance regarding a topic. However, the conventional sense 'to disagree with or challenge' is a specific pragmatic meaning (often realized as 'take issue with') that is not fully predictable from the literal constituents and usually requires prior exposure. Because the relation is partially inferable but not directly compositional, it is best judged semi-transparent.

Etymology

Take issue may come from old debates where 'issue' was the point people were talking about. To take the issue meant to pick up that point and argue against it, so the phrase now means 'to disagree'.