PhrasesHub

Take umbrage

    Definitions

      • feel offended or resentful
        To express feeling offended or resentful about something that was said or done

      • show displeasure
        To demonstrate disapproval or displeasure towards a particular action or situation

    Examples of Take umbrage

    • The politician refused to acknowledge the criticisms made against his policies, choosing instead to take umbrage at the very suggestion that they might be flawed.

      To take umbrage is to take offence or take exception to something. In this example, the politician is choosing to interpret the critiques of his policies as a personal attack, and is reacting defensively by taking umbrage. Rather than considering the potential validity of the criticisms, he is choosing to focus on his own feelings of being wrongly accused.

    • The author takes umbrage at the suggestion that her work lacks nuance, insisting instead that it is a deliberate stylistic choice.

      In this example, the author is responding to a criticism of her work by interpreting it as an accusation that she is being careless or lazy. She is choosing to reframe the criticism as a positive choice, rather than acknowledging the possibility that it might be a fair point. By taking umbrage, she is able to maintain her own self-image as a thoughtful and intentional creator.

    • The musician took umbrage at the heckler's insults during the concert, curtly responding that she couldn't hear them over the noise of the applause.

      In this example, the musician is faced with a disruptive audience member who is interrupting the concert. She is choosing to deflect the criticism by interpreting it as a lesser noise in comparison to the majority of the audience's support. By taking umbrage at the heckling, she is able to shift the focus back to the positive energy of the concert and the respect she has earned from her fans.

    • The athlete took umbrage at the referee's decision, accusing him of favouritism and asking for a review of the play.

      In this example, the athlete is contesting a ruling made by an official during a game or match. She is choosing to interpret the decision as unfairly biased against her, and is requesting further review in order to challenge the referee's authority. By taking umbrage, she is able to express her frustration and demand a fairer outcome, rather than simply accepting the decision as final.

    • She took umbrage to his criticism of her work, feeling that he was being unfair and overly critical.

      To take umbrage is to feel offended or resentful, especially when someone criticizes or questions something we believe in or are proud of. In this example, she felt that his criticism was unjust and took offense to it.

    • Many people in the community have taken umbrage with the government's handling of the crisis, feeling that their concerns and needs are not being adequately addressed.

      In this example, the community members are feeling offended and upset about the government's actions, and believe that their grievances are not being properly addressed.

    • He avoided taking umbrage with her criticisms, understanding that sometimes constructive feedback is necessary for improvement.

      In this example, he chose not to become defensive or resentful when she criticized him, realizing that sometimes criticism is necessary for growth and improvement.

    • Some people take umbrage at small things, becoming easily offended and defensive.

      In this example, the phrase "take umbrage at small things" means that some people are overly sensitive and easily offended, even by trivial things.


    Conclusion

    The idiom "take umbrage" is used to convey a sense of feeling offended or resentful in response to something that was said or done. It can also be used to demonstrate disapproval or displeasure towards a particular action or situation.

    Origin of "Take umbrage"

    The origin of the phrase "take umbrage" can be traced back to the 17th century. The word "umbrage" itself comes from the Latin word "umbra," meaning "shade" or "shadow." In this context, "umbrage" refers to taking offense or feeling resentment, as if someone has cast a shadow over one's feelings.

    The use of "take umbrage" in English literature can be found in works such as Shakespeare's plays, where characters express their displeasure and take offense at certain remarks or actions. Over time, the phrase has become a common idiom in the English language to convey feelings of offense or resentment.