take offense

USAGE SUMMARY

"take offense" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate feelings of displeasure or indignation due to actual or perceived injustice or disrespect. Example sentence: She took offense when her coworker laughed at her mistake.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I didn't take offense.

The New York Times

Who could possibly take offense?

The New York Times

I take offense".

The New York Times

He didn't take offense.

The New York Times

But I don't take offense from them.

The New York Times

How could anybody take offense at that?

The New Yorker

They don't take offense at it".

The New York Times - Magazine

I don't take offense to it.

The New York Times

I didn't take offense then and I still don't disagree.

The New York Times

He stiffened, unsure whether to take offense or be embarrassed.

The New York Times - Magazine

"If they take offense, what can I say?

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Be mindful of the context when using "take offense". It can sometimes imply a degree of sensitivity or defensiveness on the part of the person taking offense.

Common error

Avoid using "take offense" when the action or statement was clearly and intentionally offensive. In such cases, stating that the action "was offensive" is more accurate than saying someone "took offense", which might imply they were overly sensitive.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "take offense" functions as an idiomatic verb phrase, expressing the action of feeling or showing resentment due to something said or done. As shown in Ludwig's examples, it indicates a personal reaction to perceived disrespect or slight.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

61%

Wiki

18%

Science

11%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "take offense" is a common and grammatically sound idiomatic phrase used to describe the act of feeling insulted or hurt by something. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is versatile enough for various contexts, from news reports to casual conversations. Be mindful of the implications it carries regarding personal sensitivity. Remember that the British English spelling is "take offence". While many phrases share a similar meaning, such as "feel insulted" or "be offended", each conveys slight variations in nuance. Pay attention to these subtle differences to ensure precision in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be offended

This is a more passive way of saying someone experienced offense, shifting the focus from active taking to a state of being.

feel insulted

This alternative directly conveys the emotional response of feeling insulted, emphasizing personal hurt or degradation.

be affronted

This suggests a feeling of being openly insulted or disrespected, often in a public way.

resent

This term conveys a feeling of indignant displeasure or ill will at something perceived as wrong.

bristle at

This conveys a more visceral and immediate negative reaction to something.

be indignant

This reflects a strong sense of righteous anger or annoyance, suggesting a moral component to the offense.

get one's back up

This implies a defensive reaction to something perceived as a threat or insult.

take exception

This implies disagreeing with something and finding it objectionable, which may lead to offense.

get angry

This is a general term for experiencing anger, which may or may not be directly related to offense.

be put out

This suggests a feeling of annoyance or inconvenience, which is a milder form of taking offense.

FAQs

How to use "take offense" in a sentence?

You can use "take offense" to describe someone feeling insulted or hurt by something, as in "She "took offense" at his remark about her age".

What can I say instead of "take offense"?

Alternatives include "feel insulted", "be offended", or "resent", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Which is correct, "take offense" or "take offence"?

"Take offense" is the standard spelling in American English. "Take offence" is the British English spelling. Both are grammatically correct, but "take offense" is more common in the United States.

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

"Take offense" means to feel insulted or hurt by something, while "give offense" means to cause someone to feel insulted or hurt. For example, "She "took offense" at his joke," but "His joke "gave offense" to many people".