takes to task
phrase
1
as in criticizes
to express one's unfavorable opinion of the worth or quality of He took his rival to task during the TV interview. Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- criticizes
- blames
- faults
- condemns
- denounces
- knocks
- attacks
- tweaks
- dispraises
- reprehends
- finds fault (with)
- comes down hard (on)
- pans
- scolds
- slams
- slags
- complains
- censures
- kicks
- slashes
- lashes
- blasts
- disses
- admonishes
- grumbles
- murmurs
- skewers
- mutters
- bitches
- whines
- discommends
- assails
- quibbles
- moans
- nicks (at)
- snipes (at)
- growls
- keelhauls
- crabs
- bellyaches
- chides
- grouses
- beefs
- disparages
- gripes
- clobbers
- upbraids
- reprimands
- cavils
- niggles
- crucifies
- excoriates
- berates
- kvetches
- puts down
- rebukes
- derides
- carps
- decries
- flays
- gibbets
- reproves
- belittles
- reproaches
- croaks
- hammers
- lambasts
- bad-mouths
- drubs
- lambastes
- pillories
- castigates
- fusses
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- recommends
- praises
- extols
- approves
- extolls
- commends
- lauds
- sanctions
- endorses
- indorses
2
as in scolds
to criticize (someone) severely or angrily especially for personal failings He took the landscaper to task for once again letting the bushes get overgrown. Synonyms & Similar Words
- scolds
- lectures
- bawls out
- reprimands
- criticizes
- calls down
- blames
- lays into
- keelhauls
- rails (at or against)
- chews out
- dresses down
- upbraids
- rags
- rants (at)
- tongue-lashes
- admonishes
- reams (out)
- attacks
- rates
- faults
- berates
- reads the riot act (to)
- jaws
- chastises
- flays
- rebukes
- scores
- bastes
- lambasts
- lambastes
- mocks
- hammers
- reproaches
- castigates
- vituperates
- reprehends
- chides
- reviles
- remonstrates (with)
- disparages
- excoriates
- crucifies
- knocks
- lashes
- abuses
- condemns
- puts down
- harangues
- pans
- blasts
- ridicules
- slams
- denounces
- reproves
- scoffs
- assails
- bad-mouths
- scourges
- censures
- belittles
- disses
- scorns
- laces (into)
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- approves
- indorses
- endorses
- sanctions
- praises
- extols
- lauds
- extolls