take great offense

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "take great offense" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when expressing strong feelings of hurt or indignation in response to something said or done. Example: "She took great offense at the remarks made during the meeting, feeling they were unjust and disrespectful."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

20 human-written examples

Some patrons take great offense at this and behave rudely toward me or other staff.

The New York Times

"We take great offense at their statement that we have rebuffed their efforts to resolve this matter," he said.

The New York Times

Alas, it's not always so simple, especially when the sender is someone you know, or vaguely know, who might take great offense at your extrication.

The New York Times

"However, I think that Congressman Clyburn and other leaders across the country would take great offense at the suggestion that their response was somehow engineered by this campaign".

The New York Times

"I used to ask them, did you run out of money before you completed the interior?" G.M. executives used to take great offense to such remarks.

The New York Times

"There's nothing wrong with our public schools, and I take great offense to people coming in here and telling me otherwise," said Susan Winkler, who has a child in third grade and another in sixth.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

37 human-written examples

Mrs. Smith, in Saugerties, took great offense at the use of the tape.

The New York Times

"We took great offense that Frank Bailey bailed out of the interview at the moment he was scheduled," Mr. Ramras said.

The New York Times

Re "Putting the Pressure on a Diagnosis," June 7: As a psychiatrist I took great offense at the comments of Dr. Allan Lans.

The New York Times

She took great offense, and now when she sees Lucky and me, she theatrically tugs the big hairy thing's leash and drags him (her?) across the street.

The New York Times

The long-serving president of the former Soviet republic of Belarus, for example, won another term in December with 80 percent of the vote, then took great offense when the results were called shamefully implausible by his opponents.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "take great offense" to express a strong, personal reaction to something considered disrespectful or unjust. It is appropriate in situations where you want to convey a sense of indignation beyond simple disagreement.

Common error

Avoid using "take great offense" for trivial matters; it can sound overly dramatic or sensitive. Reserve it for situations where the perceived insult or injustice is genuinely significant.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "take great offense" functions as a verb phrase expressing a strong negative emotional reaction. It indicates that someone is deeply insulted, hurt, or indignant. Ludwig AI confirms this usage is correct and provides numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Wiki

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Science

3%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "take great offense" is a common and grammatically correct verb phrase used to express strong feelings of insult, hurt, or indignation. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is usable in written English, especially in neutral and formal contexts. It appears most frequently in news and media sources. While appropriate for conveying strong personal reactions, it should be used judiciously to avoid sounding overly dramatic in minor situations. Alternatives such as "be deeply offended" or "feel highly insulted" offer similar meanings with slight variations in emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be deeply offended

Emphasizes the intensity of the feeling of being offended.

feel highly insulted

Highlights the feeling of being insulted to a significant degree.

resent strongly

Focuses on the feeling of bitterness or indignation towards something.

be indignant

Expresses righteous anger or annoyance.

feel aggrieved

Indicates a feeling of injustice or unfair treatment.

bristle at

Suggests a quick, defensive reaction to something.

object strongly

Emphasizes disagreement and opposition.

be affronted

Highlights the feeling of being personally insulted or disrespected.

feel slighted

Indicates a feeling of being treated without due respect or consideration.

kick up a fuss

Suggests strong and potentially disruptive objection.

FAQs

How can I use "take great offense" in a sentence?

You can use "take great offense" to express strong feelings of hurt or indignation in response to something said or done. For example, "She "took great offense" at the remarks made during the meeting, feeling they were unjust and disrespectful."

What does it mean to "take great offense"?

To "take great offense" means to feel deeply insulted, hurt, or indignant about something that has been said or done. It indicates a strong negative reaction to a perceived slight or injustice.

What are some alternatives to "take great offense"?

Alternatives to "take great offense" include "be deeply offended", "feel highly insulted", or "resent strongly", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it more appropriate to say "take offense" or "take great offense"?

"Take great offense" emphasizes a stronger emotional reaction than simply "take offense". The choice depends on the intensity of the feeling you want to express. "Take offense" is a more moderate expression.