take offense

Meaning

This phrase means to feel insulted, hurt, or annoyed by something someone has said or done. It is often used in negative sentences (e.g., 'don't take offense') to prevent misunderstandings or to describe a sensitive reaction.

Examples

• Please don't take offense; I was only trying to help you improve your essay.

  Please don't take offense; I was only trying to help you improve your essay.

• She tends to take offense at even the mildest constructive criticism.

  She tends to take offense at even the mildest constructive criticism.

• He took offense when they didn't invite him to the weekend planning meeting.

  He took offense when they didn't invite him to the weekend planning meeting.

• I'm sure he didn't mean to insult you, so there's no need to take offense.

  I'm sure he didn't mean to insult you, so there's no need to take offense.

• Some people take offense very easily, while others just laugh off awkward comments.

  Some people take offense very easily, while others just laugh off awkward comments.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ He made offense at my joke.

  ✓ He took offense at my joke.

  The correct verb collocation is 'take offense', not 'make offense'.

• ✗ Don't take offense on my feedback.

  ✓ Don't take offense at my feedback.

  The standard preposition used after 'take offense' is 'at', not 'on'.

Related Expressions

Practice

• I hope you don't ___, but I think your old car needs to be replaced.

  💡 Feel insulted or hurt.

  Show answer

  take offense

• He is so sensitive that he will ___ at almost any joke.

  💡 Become offended.

  Show answer

  take offense