WordWeb Online

1. Censure severely or angrily
   "The deputy took to task the Prime Minister";
   - call on the carpet [US], rebuke, rag, trounce, reproof, lecture, reprimand, jaw, dress down, call down, scold, chide, berate, bawl out, remonstrate, chew out [N. Amer], chew up [N. Amer], have words, lambaste, lambast, ream [N. Amer]

Derived forms: took to task, taken to task, takes to task, taking to task

Type of: criticise [Brit], criticize, damn, knock, pick apart