Idiom:  take something out on someone

Meaning 

Idiom:  take something out on someone / take it out on someone

  • to express frustration, anger, etc. at someone who didn’t cause these negative feelings

Example sentences

— Every time my husband has a hard day at work he comes home and takes it out on me.

— I’m tired of you taking your frustration out on me. Why don’t you go to the gym and work out your stress before you come home?

— If you're angry, take it out on me and not the girls. I'm the one that gave them permission to keep the stray cat.

— Please don't keep taking your frustrations out on your wife. It's going to ruin your marriage.

— Well, don't take it out on me. I didn't do anything.

— I've started to go running after work. I've been taking the irritations at work out on my family and they all go into their rooms when I come home.

— I know you hate Allen but don't take it out on his son!

— I'm sorry, I've been taking my anger out on you a lot lately.

— Doctor, we're here because our youngest child has been taking his disappointments out on our dog. We're very concerned.

— Whenever our boss has a bad day, she takes it out on the whole team.

— I will never ride with Steve again. He takes his impatience out on all of the other drivers, yelling at them, giving them the finger and driving aggressively.

— We've just installed a punching bag in the employee lounge. If someone's upset, they can come in here and take it out on the punching bag.

— My friend was upset that I was five minutes late meeting her at the restaurant so she took her irritation out on the waitress. I was so embarrassed.

— We've noticed your boyfriend is always taking his anger out on you. He needs a better way to get his frustrations out of his system.

— If you hate working here, then quit. Don't take your dissatisfaction out on our clients.

— Your last girlfriend cheated on you but now you're taking all of your fears out on Cindy. Look, she's not going to tolerate you constantly checking where she is much longer.

— My son didn't get into Harvard and now he's taking his disappointment out on us because we didn't send him to private school.

— I'm sorry our flight got canceled but don't take it out on me.


Synonyms

  • give (full) vent to (something)
  • kick the cat/dog
  • rage at (someone/something)


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