take affront

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'take affront' is correct and can be used in written English.
It is used to express deep offense or insult when someone has been mistreated, offended, or insulted. For example: After her boss criticized her work, she took affront and immediately reported the incident to Human Resources.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Some bankers may also take affront at the singling out of activities like trading of complex securities known as derivatives, which the panel identified as risky but that they consider integral to modern finance.

The New York Times

Failing to take affront at the slur, however, is not the same as failing to take note of it.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

I put both hands between my chests to indicate having taken affront.

The New Yorker

But that didn't stop the blogosphere, which immediately took affront at the assault on free speech.

Huffington Post

He's put several million into improvements since, but some took affront to his recent request for five years of tax breaks from the cash-strapped city north of Detroit.

Huffington Post

The BJP could, of course, ask Modi to step aside as its prime ministerial candidate, and nominate in his stead someone more agreeable to allies, but after leading the BJP to its near all-time high of seats, Modi will not take the affront lightly.

Huffington Post

Leslye Mundy, a Nike spokeswoman, said the company took no affront.

The New York Times

He takes particular affront at how Florida historiography has mischaracterized pivotal players and events, and he zealously marshalls evidence to set the record straight.

The New York Times - Books

He takes personal affront at the fact that Mirren used some colourful language at Glamour's Women of the Year awards ceremony (why was he there?!), but then he quickly moves on to females the world over.

The Guardian - Opinion

His cousin and brother-in-law Mardonius, supported by a strong party of exiled Greeks, incited him to take revenge for the affront that Darius had suffered at the hands of the Greeks at Marathon (490 bce).

Encyclopedia Britannica

"Hearts, Minds and Padlocks" (editorial, March 30) was welcome, but it did not take aim at another affront to principles of a free press reported in "G.I.'s Padlock Baghdad Paper Accused of Lies" (front page, March 29).

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "take affront" to express a strong feeling of offense, often in response to something perceived as disrespectful or insulting. Ensure the context warrants such a strong reaction.

Common error

Avoid using "take affront" in situations where a milder reaction would be more appropriate. Using it too often can make your writing sound overly dramatic or pretentious.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "take affront" functions as a verbal phrase indicating a strong negative emotional reaction to something. It signifies that someone has been deeply offended or insulted. Ludwig's examples show this usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Wiki

17%

Encyclopedias

16%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "take affront" is a phrase used to express a strong feeling of offense or insult. While grammatically correct, Ludwig AI confirms it is a relatively rare expression. The phrase is most commonly found in news and media contexts and carries a neutral to slightly formal tone. When using "take affront", it's important to consider the intensity of the reaction you wish to convey and whether a milder alternative might be more appropriate. Common alternatives include "be offended by" or "resent". While limited examples are present in Ludwig, the existing data confirm its proper use and provide a basis for understanding its nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be offended by

This alternative focuses on the feeling of being offended, removing the active 'taking' of offense.

be insulted by

This alternative directly states the feeling of being insulted, suggesting a more personal offense.

resent

This alternative implies a lingering feeling of bitterness and indignation.

feel aggrieved by

This alternative emphasizes the feeling of being wronged or unfairly treated.

take exception to

This alternative means to object to something, indicating disagreement and disapproval.

bristle at

This alternative suggests a sudden and defensive reaction to something.

be indignant about

This alternative highlights a righteous anger and strong disapproval.

feel slighted by

This alternative emphasizes the feeling of being disrespected or undervalued.

be put out by

This alternative indicates mild annoyance or displeasure.

get one's back up

This alternative suggests a defensive and confrontational posture.

FAQs

How to use "take affront" in a sentence?

The phrase "take affront" is used to express that someone has felt deeply offended or insulted by something. For example, "She "took affront" at the manager's harsh criticism of her work."

What can I say instead of "take affront"?

You can use alternatives such as "be offended by", "be insulted by", or "resent" depending on the context.

What's the difference between "take affront" and "take offense"?

"Take affront" implies a stronger, more indignant reaction than "take offense". "Take affront" suggests a deeper sense of insult or injustice.

Is it more common to use "take affront" or "took affront"?

The past tense "took affront" is more frequently used when describing a specific instance where someone was offended. Both are grammatically correct, but context dictates which is more appropriate.