" take to task "

1: to express one's unfavorable opinion of the worth or quality of;

  * e.g., " ... He took his rival to task during the TV interview. "

•  Synonyms : 

•  blame,

•  censure,

•  condemn,

•  criticize,

•  denounce,

•  dis,

•  dispraise,

•  fault,

•  knock,

•  pan,

•  reprehend,

•  slag

•  Antonyms : 

•  extol,

•  laud,

•  praise

2: to criticize (someone) severely or angrily especially for personal failings;

  * e.g., " ... He took the landscaper to task for once again letting the bushes get overgrown. "

•  Synonyms : 

•  baste,

•  bawl out,

•  berate,

•  call down,

•  castigate,

•  chastise,

•  chew out,

•  dress down,

•  flay,

•  hammer,

•  jaw,

•  keelhaul,

•  lambaste,

•  lecture,

•  rag,

•  rail (at or against),

•  rant (at),

•  rate,

•  ream (out),

•  rebuke,

•  reprimand,

•  reproach,

•  scold,

•  score,

•  tongue-lash,

•  upbraid

•  Antonyms : 

• (N/A)