to feel offended► offended · She'll be offended if you don't say thank you for her help.offended by · He's always offended by jokes aimed at Irish people.offended that · He felt offended that she didn't want to go out with him.deeply offended · Some people may find rude jokes funny, but others may be deeply offended.
► insulted very angry and upset, for example because someone has done something that shows they have little respect for you or your abilities: · Molly would be insulted if we didn't go and see her while we were in town.insulted by: · Please don't be insulted by anything I say.insulted that: · He felt insulted that they had not told him about the party.deeply insulted: · We must eat as much as possible, or she will be deeply insulted.
► slighted offended, especially because someone has not included you in their plans: · The guest list was very short, so no-one felt slighted because they hadn't been invited.
► put out offended and surprised, especially because you feel that you have not been treated fairly: · When she said I was interfering, I was a bit put out.put out about: · She was rather put out about being described as plain.put out by: · The minister was not put out by the note of impatience in Cohen's voice.
► take offence to feel offended by something someone says or does, especially something that does not seem serious to other people: · Don't mention her hairstyle. She'll probably take offence.· Please don't take offence, but I would prefer you not to swear in front of the children.take offence at: · He didn't seem to take offence at my lack of enthusiasm for his idea.be quick to take offence: · He described her as a woman who is temperamental and quick to take offence.
► take something personally to feel offended by something, especially a criticism, even though it was not aimed at one particular person: · Anna took it personally when the boss said some people were not working hard enough.· This is a general criticism, so I hope none of you will take it personally.· I didn't take his rebuff too personally, since I was used to his habit of being rude to his juniors.
► take something the wrong way to be offended by something someone says or does when it was not intended to offend you and you have understood it in the wrong way: · Daniel sat in silence, afraid whatever he said would be taken the wrong way.· Don't take this the wrong way, but your driving has really improved.
► take exception to formal to feel offended by something someone says, and to make it clear that you feel this way: · I took exception to what he said about my family.· Paul took exception to her advice, which he said undermined his self-esteem.take great exception to something: · I take great exception to the suggestion that I neglected my responsibilities.