WordWeb Online

1. Censure severely or angrily
   "The deputy took to task the Prime Minister";
   - call on the carpet [US, informal], rebuke, rag [informal], trounce, lecture, reprimand, jaw [informal], dress down [informal], call down [informal], scold, chide, berate, bawl out [informal], remonstrate, chew out [N. Amer, informal], chew up [N. Amer, informal], have words, lambaste, lambast, ream [N. Amer, informal], wig [Brit, informal]

Derived forms: took to task, takes to task, taking to task, taken to task

Type of: criticise [Brit], criticize, damn [informal], knock [informal], pick apart