Phrase guide

take it out on

verb · 1 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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1

verb

Meaning 1

To unleash one's anger on (a person or thing other than the one that caused it).

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: idiomatic

Examples

  • Don't take it out on your husband if you had trouble with your boss at work.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: look for a dog to kick

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.

Across languages

Translations

16 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Azerbaijani: çıxarmaq — unleash one's anger
  • Azerbaijani: çıxartmaq — unleash one's anger
  • French: passer ses nerfs sur — unleash one's anger
  • German: seinen Ärger auslassen an (jemandem oder etwas) — unleash one's anger
  • Italian: prendersela con — unleash one's anger
  • Japanese: 八つ当たりする (yatsuatari-suru) — unleash one's anger
  • Macedonian: се истура (se istura) — unleash one's anger
  • Macedonian: се истури (se isturi) — unleash one's anger
  • Polish: wyżywać się — unleash one's anger
  • Portuguese: descontar em — unleash one's anger
  • Romanian: a se răzbuna pe (altcineva) — unleash one's anger
  • Romanian: a-și vărsa focul/mânia/necazul pe — unleash one's anger
  • Russian: излить свой гнев на кого-либо/что-либо — unleash one's anger
  • Serbo-Croatian: iživljati — unleash one's anger
  • Spanish: desahogarse con — unleash one's anger
  • Turkish: sinirini birinden çıkarmak — unleash one's anger