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take to task

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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.

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CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?
There are grammar debates that never die; and the ones highlighted in the questions in this quiz are sure to rile everyone up once again. Do you know how to answer the questions that cause some of the greatest grammar debates?
Question 1 of 7
Which sentence is correct?
His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.
His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.
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Words nearby take to task

take the words out of someone's mouth, take the wrong way, take to, take to heart, take to one's heels, take to task, take to the cleaners, take turns, take umbrage, take-up, take up a collection
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.

Words related to take to task

admonish, berate, castigate, chastise, chide, denounce, discipline, rebuff, rebuke, reprimand, reproach, scold, penalize, accuse, blame, boycott, brand, censure, criticize, decry
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