take it out on
Misdirect your frustration
To take it out on someone is to direct frustration or anger toward them when they're not the cause of it.
The phrase implies misdirected aggression—you're upset about something else but venting on whoever's nearby: I know you had a bad day, but don't take it out on me.
The "it" is the negative emotion seeking release.
- unleashTo release from restraint
- blow off steamRelease accumulated stress
- misdirectLead away from truth
- lash outAttack abruptly in anger
- pick onRepeatedly target with hostility
easy target · resentment · spleen · blame · frustration · anger · punching bag · displacement · attack · yell · projection · bad day · scapegoat · innocent bystander · shoot the messenger · stress · scold · accuse
take it out onbottle up
Suppress emotions internally
suppress · internalize · repress · keep to oneself · stuff down
take it out onhold accountable
Require someone to justify actions
take, takes, took, taken, taking, taker, outing, outward, outwardly