take it out on

1. Also, take something out on. Vent one's frustration or anger on a person or object. For example, I know you're furious about your grades but don't take it out on me. [First half of 1800s]

Example Sentences

“If voters had intended to take it out on the party as a whole, the results would have looked quite different.”

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Take it out on Tesla by boycotting the company.

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Senator Rick Scott is so furious over the felony conviction of former President Donald J. Trump that the Florida Republican says he and his colleagues need to take it out on the Senate, by acting as disrupters and blocking all Biden administration nominees and legislation.

Read more on New York Times

“We all have bad days and stress, and it was wrong for me to take it out on an officer who’s simply doing his job,” she said.

Read more on Seattle Times

"They shunned Dad as well, but when they couldn't take it out on Dad, or when they couldn't insult Dad, or be horrible to Dad, I was their next target," he said.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• annoy 
• badger 
• berate 
• fuss 
• hector 
• hound 
• irk 
• irritate 
• pester 
• scold 
• tease 
• torment 
• vex