"take to task" 是一个固定短语,意为“责备;批评;指责(某人的错误行为)”,强调因对方做了错事而对其进行严肃的指责或训斥。
英文释义:to criticize or reprimand someone firmly for a mistake or failure
该短语通常需带宾语(被责备的人),并可通过介词 for 引出“责备的原因”(错事或行为)。常见结构:
1、 主动形式:take + 某人 + to task + (for + 某事/doing 某事)
2、 被动形式:be taken to task + (for + 某事/doing 某事)
通过不同场景的例句,理解具体用法:
1、 工作场景:
His boss took him to task for missing the deadline.(他的老板因他错过截止日期而批评了他。)
The manager was taken to task by the CEO for poor team performance.(经理因团队表现差被CEO指责。)
2、 家庭/教育场景:
Mom took me to task for leaving the kitchen in a mess.(妈妈因我把厨房弄得一团糟而责备我。)
The teacher took the class to task for not doing their homework.(老师因学生没做作业而训斥了全班。)
3、 日常社交:
I was taken to task by my friend for forgetting her birthday.(我因忘记朋友的生日而被她指责。)
The coach took the player to task for not following the game plan.(教练因球员不遵守战术安排而批评了他。)
同义词:reprimand(训斥)、scold(责骂)、chide(责备)、call out(指责),但 "take to task" 更强调“严肃且有针对性的批评”(因具体错误)。
注意:不要与 "take to"(开始喜欢/从事)混淆!"take to task" 是独立的固定短语,不能拆分理解(如“开始做任务”是错误的)。
总结:"take to task" 是表达“因错误而责备某人”的常用短语,结构明确,适用于正式或日常场景,需注意搭配“for + 原因”来完整表达逻辑。